OK, but was it the right call?

[Sean Miller Fan]

We love 2nd guessing decisions when the result doesnt go our way. The decision to kick the FG instead of punt won us the game and we're all thrilled, but I gotta ask, was it the right decision? I mean it is now that we saw it go in but I gotta be honest, I disagreed with kicking that FG at the time. I didnt think there was any way he'd make it and you were giving GT the ball at the 36, only needing 30-35 yards for a chance at the winning FG. I really thought that the decision was going to cost us the game. I like aggressive playcalling (I agreed with the other 2 4th down decisions) but in this case, I would have pooched it and played for OT. I mean, we are Pitt, you know every other time, that kick misses and GT wins.

I'll tell you one thing, I wont be punching Narduzzi in the balls anytime soon. Dont want to break my hand. Man does that guy have a pair. What a gutsy call. Longest FG in Pitt history. WTF.

 

[pittpitt]

I agree with the decision to go for the long FG for the following reasons:

1) We have a kicker with the leg for it, and I'm sure he's made them in practice from that distance many times.
2) Over GT's last 6 drives, they gained 58 yards on that one run, and 92 net yards on every other play (includes penalties for & against). There was a good chance our D could have held them the way they were playing by that point in the game.
3) Their kicker isn't that good, so they'd really have to move it to feel comfortable with a FG attempt to win it.
4) GT was reeling, so putting the pressure on them to perform if we miss it is fine.
5) Their QB was beat up from all our hard hits on him, so they likely weren't going to suddenly get their offense rolling again.
6) GT was out of timeouts and would have likely just tried to go to OT if they got the ball back at that point. We had momentum and a QB who wasn't beat up, so we'd be fine with that.
7) It shows Blewitt he's trusted, and it shows the team that we play to win. This affects their confidence for the rest of the season.

 

[VJPITT]

The easiest way to get kids to really believe in themselves is to make them do the challenging thing like going for a fourth and 2 and going for a win on a late fg. But I am glad you were not making the " play not to lose" call.

 

[MajorMajors]

We love 2nd guessing decisions when the result doesnt go our way. The decision to kick the FG instead of punt won us the game and we're all thrilled, but I gotta ask, was it the right decision? I mean it is now that we saw it go in but I gotta be honest, I disagreed with kicking that FG at the time. I didnt think there was any way he'd make it and you were giving GT the ball at the 36, only needing 30-35 yards for a chance at the winning FG. I really thought that the decision was going to cost us the game. I like aggressive playcalling (I agreed with the other 2 4th down decisions) but in this case, I would have pooched it and played for OT. I mean, we are Pitt, you know every other time, that kick misses and GT wins.

I'll tell you one thing, I wont be punching Narduzzi in the balls anytime soon. Dont want to break my hand. Man does that guy have a pair. What a gutsy call. Longest FG in Pitt history. WTF.

Although he won't admit it, I think Coach Duzz went for the win because he didn't think Pitt's defense could keep GT from scoring if the game went to OT.

Go Pitt.

 

[Pghfan]

He misses it, we most likely lose. Problem is, If we punt, we probably lose.. Id say the odds of him making that are about 33 percent, I think our chances of stopping ga tech from scoring were less..

 

[Consultant Panther]

We love 2nd guessing decisions when the result doesnt go our way. The decision to kick the FG instead of punt won us the game and we're all thrilled, but I gotta ask, was it the right decision? I mean it is now that we saw it go in but I gotta be honest, I disagreed with kicking that FG at the time. I didnt think there was any way he'd make it and you were giving GT the ball at the 36, only needing 30-35 yards for a chance at the winning FG. I really thought that the decision was going to cost us the game. I like aggressive playcalling (I agreed with the other 2 4th down decisions) but in this case, I would have pooched it and played for OT. I mean, we are Pitt, you know every other time, that kick misses and GT wins.

I'll tell you one thing, I wont be punching Narduzzi in the balls anytime soon. Dont want to break my hand. Man does that guy have a pair. What a gutsy call. Longest FG in Pitt history. WTF.

One thing that fans often don't take into account is that coaches know their team much better than we do. I know that's hard for some to fathom, but it's the truth. In this case, he probably knew that Blewitt had a decent change of making the kick. I'd imagine that Narduzzi also didn't like our chances in OT.

 

[Parkview57]

Agreed, HCPN has seen Blewitt make something like 3 of 4 from that distance on a daily basis during the week...just a guess.

 

[MajorMajors]

Agreed, HCPN has seen Blewitt make something like 3 of 4 from that distance on a daily basis during the week...just a guess.

Also, did anyone notice Coach Duzz toss some grass into the air to check the wind? The wind seemed to be helping pretty good, even at ground level... Still a heck of a kick for Mr. B.

Go PItt.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

I definitely would've punted. However, I am glad it worked out.

 

[Pittx9]

I was shocked they kicked the FG, however when Blewitt was recruited it was well noted that he had an incredibly strong leg. With his confidence clearly back, he's a kid that can make kicks most can not in college.

 

[pbrad]

We love 2nd guessing decisions when the result doesnt go our way. The decision to kick the FG instead of punt won us the game and we're all thrilled, but I gotta ask, was it the right decision? I mean it is now that we saw it go in but I gotta be honest, I disagreed with kicking that FG at the time. I didnt think there was any way he'd make it and you were giving GT the ball at the 36, only needing 30-35 yards for a chance at the winning FG. I really thought that the decision was going to cost us the game. I like aggressive playcalling (I agreed with the other 2 4th down decisions) but in this case, I would have pooched it and played for OT. I mean, we are Pitt, you know every other time, that kick misses and GT wins.

I'll tell you one thing, I wont be punching Narduzzi in the balls anytime soon. Dont want to break my hand. Man does that guy have a pair. What a gutsy call. Longest FG in Pitt history. WTF.

I also disagreed at the time, but when he lined them up I thought the Duzz knows something. Right call? Yes if it goes through, no if it doesn't

 

[oldpantherfan]

I agree with the decision. Win or lose it was the right one. He had some balls. if he was that aggressive earlier we would be in top 20 not Iowa. All are games are too close because of lack of aggression even, Narduzzi said as much last week ( and threw chaney under the bus). This why all our games are close.This a new Pitt team stop talking about past mistakes.

 

[KennyTheKangaroo]

I thought it was a very risky call and not a great time to give Georgia Tech a relatively short field.

Clearly Narduzzi learned a lesson about going for it on 4th and short. A lot of people were upset about it during the Iowa game. Not many complaints today though.

 

[Twisted Pittster]

It was the right call. Every other coach we've had in recent memory would have punted, the defense would not have held, and we would have lost. Then we're all here saying, "Same old Pitt" and wishing we had a coach who wasn't afraid to go for the win. Well, now we've got one! We finally have a coach who appears capable of breaking Pitt out of it's loser's identity. That is a long time coming and should be embraced, not questioned!

 

[Consultant Panther]

I thought it was a very risky call and not a great time to give Georgia Tech a relatively short field.

Clearly Narduzzi learned a lesson about going for it on 4th and short. A lot of people were upset about it during the Iowa game. Not many complaints today though.

People are upset if things don't work. If the kick was missed and GT went on to win the game, many fans would have been upset with Narduzzi.

 

[20-20Hindsight]

Every other coach we've had in recent memory would have punted, the defense would not have held, and we would have lost.

Hell, we've even had a coach that might have considered punting it on 3rd down....

;-)

 

[upj87]

We love 2nd guessing decisions when the result doesnt go our way. The decision to kick the FG instead of punt won us the game and we're all thrilled, but I gotta ask, was it the right decision? I mean it is now that we saw it go in but I gotta be honest, I disagreed with kicking that FG at the time. I didnt think there was any way he'd make it and you were giving GT the ball at the 36, only needing 30-35 yards for a chance at the winning FG. I really thought that the decision was going to cost us the game. I like aggressive playcalling (I agreed with the other 2 4th down decisions) but in this case, I would have pooched it and played for OT. I mean, we are Pitt, you know every other time, that kick misses and GT wins.

I'll tell you one thing, I wont be punching Narduzzi in the balls anytime soon. Dont want to break my hand. Man does that guy have a pair. What a gutsy call. Longest FG in Pitt history. WTF.

I disagreed with the call for about the first 45% of the kicked ball's flight and then I changed my mind thereafter...

 

[burnie1105]

Absolutely; if you punt from that distance, there is a good chance you cede a touchback. The odds of making the field goal outweigh the ~15 or so yards you'd be giving GT.

 

[pittmeister]

Although he won't admit it, I think Coach Duzz went for the win because he didn't think Pitt's defense could keep GT from scoring if the game went to OT.

Go Pitt.

THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PITTLAW]

One thing that fans often don't take into account is that coaches know their team much better than we do. I know that's hard for some to fathom, but it's the truth. In this case, he probably knew that Blewitt had a decent change of making the kick. I'd imagine that Narduzzi also didn't like our chances in OT.

While you may be right on basic premise that coaches generally know their teams and players, in this instance I think it had little to do with what Narduzzi thought of Blewitt's chances. If that were the case, surely he would have gone on 4th down or kicked the field goal at Iowa rather than punted. He made the wrong decision at Iowa...and has subsequently made all the right decisions since then. I'm glad he shows that he adapts and learns. Hail to Pitt!

 

[Hailpitt]

Wanney and Chryst would have punted in that situation. That is what 6-6 coaches do

 

[Pittx9]

I think he has made the right calls pretty much all season. Iowa game there was so much time left and really punting it was not conceding the game. Against Tech, if they don't go for it both times, things are really looking bad for Pitt. The guy is way smarter than people gave him credit for after the Iowa loss.

 

[PITTLAW]

I think he has made the right calls pretty much all season. Iowa game there was so much time left and really punting it was not conceding the game. Against Tech, if they don't go for it both times, things are really looking bad for Pitt. The guy is way smarter than people gave him credit for after the Iowa loss.

How can you say it was the right call when we know the outcome of the play? Seriously...? It is okay that he flubbed the call...he has clearly learned from the experience. Better to lose to Iowa than to a conference foe. Hail to Pitt!

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

How can you say it was the right call when we know the outcome of the play?

First off, I agree that it was the wrong decision and have said so right from the start. However, most people don't really have any problem getting the concept that you can only make a decision based on the information that you have at the time. If your criteria is going to be that the only thing that determines if a decision was correct or not is to wait and see the outcome then there is no reason to ever make a choice. Just wait until something happens, and then you can say it's obvious what we should have done before hand. Of course that doesn't actually help the person who has to make the decision, but hey, as Walt Harris once said, hindsight is 50/50.

Decisions such as whether to go for it on fourth and inches in your opponent's territory have a right answer and a wrong answer. The fact is that sometimes you can make the right decision and have it not work out, and sometimes you can make the wrong decision and it works out anyway. Is that really such a difficult concept to understand?

 

[PITTLAW]

First off, I agree that it was the wrong decision and have said so right from the start. However, most people don't really have any problem getting the concept that you can only make a decision based on the information that you have at the time. If your criteria is going to be that the only thing that determines if a decision was correct or not is to wait and see the outcome then there is no reason to ever make a choice. Just wait until something happens, and then you can say it's obvious what we should have done before hand. Of course that doesn't actually help the person who has to make the decision, but hey, as Walt Harris once said, hindsight is 50/50.

Decisions such as whether to go for it on fourth and inches in your opponent's territory have a right answer and a wrong answer. The fact is that sometimes you can make the right decision and have it not work out, and sometimes you can make the wrong decision and it works out anyway. Is that really such a difficult concept to understand?

Not a hard concept to understand. Not sure I get your quibble since you seem to agree that the decision made during the Iowa game was wrong. It was wrong based upon all the intangibles, game situation, score, time left, and any other way you want to measure. We also know that it did not work out as Coach wanted it to...so any way you want to measure it...it was the wrong decision. I was at the game, I was screaming to go for it...and much like the last game, the players wanted to go for it too. No real need to rehash the whole thing again...I just was responding to a point made by the poster.

The idea of not making a decision and waiting for the outcome is nonsense. Of course a decision had to be made, he made one, and it did not work out. Of course he may make the right decision in the future and it may not work out [poor execution, the other side just making a super play, etc.]...but nobody will ever know in that situation. Kind of like his comments about a great QB getting bad plays called. Hail to Pitt!

 

[9nationalchampionships]

The coaching staff have the insight of what a player or group of players can do by watching them in practice every day. Obviously in hindsight the right call was made but I believe given that same set of circumstances the same decision will be made.
I really am trusting this coaching staff on many levels!

 

[ricflair4LIFE]

When he makes it. It's the right call.

Miss it, it's bad call.

Taken from the best selling book. "The Mind of a Fan."

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Not a hard concept to understand. Not sure I get your quibble since you seem to agree that the decision made during the Iowa game was wrong. It was wrong based upon all the intangibles, game situation, score, time left, and any other way you want to measure. We also know that it did not work out as Coach wanted it to...so any way you want to measure it...it was the wrong decision. I was at the game, I was screaming to go for it...and much like the last game, the players wanted to go for it too. No real need to rehash the whole thing again...I just was responding to a point made by the poster.

The idea of not making a decision and waiting for the outcome is nonsense. Of course a decision had to be made, he made one, and it did not work out. Of course he may make the right decision in the future and it may not work out [poor execution, the other side just making a super play, etc.]...but nobody will ever know in that situation. Kind of like his comments about a great QB getting bad plays called. Hail to Pitt!

Well then why do you keep saying over and over again things like "how can you say it was the right call when we know the outcome of the play?" If the determining factor is whether the outcome of the play is good or not then there is never a right or wrong answer until after the play is over. Going for it on 4th down would have been the correct decision even if they went for it and didn't make it. Going for it on 4th down would have been the correct decision even if they had punted the ball down to the one yard line, got a safety on the next play, and then returned the following free kick for a touchdown. The decision is right or wrong when you make it, not after you know the outcome.