12 seconds left in ND/NIU. The clock has stopped momentarily to move the chains. ND has 1 TO. Do you call it now so that you have 2 plays before a FG but risk a sack or completion short of the sticks ends the game? Or do you do what ND did and spike it, which ran off 3 seconds and meant you only had 9 seconds and time for 1 play before the FG? I call the TO and instruct the QB to only throw passes 10 yards or longer.
Pitt - it ended up not matteting but:
First down at the 20 with 2 TO's left. Cincy also has 2 TO's but elects not to use them. We rush to the line to call a quick play instead of milking the clock. Then on 2nd & 4, we inexplicably call a passing play when we are in almost in guaranteed FG range already. If this is me, once Mumpfield catches that ball, I call 2 runs up the middle then call a TO with 8 seconds left, attempt the FG on 3rd down in case there's a bad snap. Kick the ball off and the game is over. We left them 17 seconds and 1 TO which isnt much but they had 2 plays to get 35 yards for a miracle-ish FG. I didnt like that.
Pitt - it ended up not matteting but:
First down at the 20 with 2 TO's left. Cincy also has 2 TO's but elects not to use them. We rush to the line to call a quick play instead of milking the clock. Then on 2nd & 4, we inexplicably call a passing play when we are in almost in guaranteed FG range already. If this is me, once Mumpfield catches that ball, I call 2 runs up the middle then call a TO with 8 seconds left, attempt the FG on 3rd down in case there's a bad snap. Kick the ball off and the game is over. We left them 17 seconds and 1 TO which isnt much but they had 2 plays to get 35 yards for a miracle-ish FG. I didnt like that.
