Each week during the 2016 college football season, The Pac-12 Networks will feature a Fundamental Play of the Week from the previous weekend’s slate of games to encourage proper technique, which fosters better on-field performance.

Early in the second quarter, the score between Stanford and Arizona stood stagnant at 0-0. After a 33-yard punt from Arizona, Stanford took over the ball on its own 45-yard line. On the first play of the drive, the Stanford offense came together for the Pac-12 Fundamental Play of the Week, which involved junior running back Christian McCaffrey breaking through the crease and rushing for a 45-yard touchdown and the game’s first score.

As Pac-12 analyst Yogi Roth points out, Stanford’s power scheme on offense and McCaffrey’s expert use of fundamentals led to the huge play:

• The play starts with a quick shift from tight end Reagan Williams who gets in the I-Formation to give McCaffrey the lead blocker he needs
• Up front, everybody on the Stanford offense targets well. Their initial steps, hand placement and ability to get off of the ball allow this play to have a chance
• McCaffrey utilizes a crucial delay step that allows the offensive line and the wide receivers time to get on their blocks and open a hole for him
• McCaffrey takes the handoff from quarterback Keller Chryst and bursts through the opening to take the ball all the way to the house and give the Cardinal a 7-0 lead

McCaffrey, fresh off of an injury, would proceed to rush for 169 yards to help Stanford clinch the victory, 34-10. The win elevated the team’s record to 3-3 in Pac-12 play.

After the game, McCaffrey was grateful his teammates created the lane for him to find the end zone.

“It’s one of the best feelings in the world to me when you can get into that open space and just know that there’s no one in front of you except green grass,” he said. “To kind of let go and run? That’s a special feeling.”

The Pac-12 and more than three dozen leading organizations across medicine, sport and child advocacy support USA Football’s Heads Up Football program for a better, safer game. In recognition of a Pac-12 team’s strong fundamentals, USA Football awards a $4,000 equipment grant to a local youth football organization within the selected university’s market throughout the season.

In honor of Stanford’s display of strong fundamentals, USA Football will award a $4,000 equipment donation to Northern California Youth Football & Cheer.