The Single-Wing
When Warren Gaer arrived from Pepperdine, he installed the single-wing offense at Drake. Unlike modern formations, the single-wing does not put the quarterback under center and often uses an unbalanced line. Drake would keep opponents guessing on which backfield player would receive the snap. From this offense, a variety of runs, passes, and laterals were all possible.
John Bright, Drake's left halfback from 1949-1951, was the NCAA's total offense leader his first two seasons playing the single-wing. In 1949, he became the first sophomore to win the total offense crown.
Although the single-wing has virtually disappeared at the college level, it is still used by some high schools. At Drake, Gaer de-emphasized the single-wing after Bright left. The Bulldogs went to a pro-style offense in 1959, when former Cleveland Browns quarterback Tom O'Connell replaced Gaer as the head coach. |
