New five-receiver set features Ogbonnaya, Irby as passing options

Offensive coordinator Greg Davis has put a twist on the five-wide offensive formation.
Quarterback Colt McCoy has lined up all alone in the empty shotgun set many times this season, but most of those have been in Davis’ modified version, which has wide receivers Quan Cosby, Jordan Shipley and a third, either Malcolm Williams, Brandon Buckner or Brandon Collins, joined by tight end Blaine Irby and running back Chris Ogbonnaya.
McCoy told offensive coordinator Greg Davis he was comfortable in the five-wide set, but Davis was not nearly as comfortable leaving him unprotected at the mercy of several blitzing defenders.
Texas played in five-wide sets many times with quarterback Chris Simms. The lefty was joined by receivers Roy Williams, B.J. Johnson, Sloan Thomas, Tony Jeffery and Kyle Shannahan.
Despite all the talent on the field at that time, it is not an era Davis wants to revisit.
“When you go with five wide receivers, it opens a new can of worms for the defense because they know exactly what we are going to do,” Davis said. “There are no surprises.”
The modified five-wide set with Irby and Ogbonnaya is different because if McCoy audibles, the Longhorns can go to their base offense, which has Irby at tight end and Ogbonnaya at running back.
“There’s a lot more we can do with that set,” Davis said. “It’s not as predictable, and with Chris’ background as a receiver we can have a lot of big plays from it.”
The modified five-wide set worked to perfection in Texas’ 42-13 Sept. 6 win over UTEP. Irby lined up in the five-wide formation as an inside-left receiver. The defense went to a soft zone, probably to be cautious, and Irby sprinted right down the seam through the middle of it. McCoy hit Irby in stride for a 23-yard touchdown pass.
“It’s a fun formation to play in,” Irby said. “Colt made a great throw.”

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