Guessing they were trying to build off the pistol set at end of half against NIU where Q rammed it up the middle from 1/2 yard line. Sounds like the wanted the defense to bite on that and then throw pass.
I get it but if you think you're better, run a play with your best offensive set and try to get 3 yards rather than fool somebody. Way too cute. The only ones we outsmarted was ourselves. And we needed 3 yards, not 1/2 yard so I wouldn't have bitten on a qb rush up the middle either.