The pistol packs a punch around college football
What started as a quirky twist on the shotgun formation by an off-the-radar team searching for an edge has become the hottest offensive trend in college football.
It’s called the pistol, and if you haven’t seen it, well, you’re probably not paying close enough attention.
Invented in Nevada, the short shotgun setup — hence pistol — that places the quarterback about 4 yards behind center and a running back 3 yards behind the QB is now being used in varying amounts at Alabama, Arkansas, Duke, Indiana, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and UCLA, just to name a few.
The Bruins have gone all in on the pistol, and last week they used it to whip Texas 34-12.
“It’s expanded the offensive landscape,” said Nevada coach Chris Ault, the pistol’s founding father.
Associated Press
9/30/10
