Professional Clock Management

[formerlurker]

Oh how I've missed you, so nice to have you back.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

At some point the broadcast showed FIU had 47 seconds left on the play clock

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Now that we've got the clock figured out perhaps we can focus on when and when not to go for 2.

Back to back weeks failing to make the right call is a bit concerning.

Overall very happy with the season, just commenting in the context of this thread.

 

[Palatine]

Excellent point.

But going for two in the third quarter with a lead was not a very good decision.

 

[VAHuskyFan]

Agree the failed 2 was not a great decision. But it encouraged FIU to settle for a FG on the 8-yard line down 19, which was an even worse decision.

If we kick the extra point, FIU has to go for it on 4th (as they should have anyway) and our lead could have been cut to 13. So maybe Mora figured that 19 points isn’t so bad because it baits FIU into playing “safe”/dumb.

 

[VAHuskyFan]

FIU’s FG decision was foolish, and a perfect example of coaches seeking to delay the moment of truth vs maximizing their chances to win.

At some point, you need to win the game. With a FG down 19, FIU still needs 2 TDs, plus 2 do-or-die conversions (50% each) plus an OT win (50%). That’s just a 12% chance to win even assuming they score the 2 TDs.

So the question is - did FIU have a better than 12% chance to score a TD from the 8? Because if they convert there instead of kicking, they’re only 13 down, and 2 TDs gets them the win in regulation.

Only joking about Mora’s decision being a good one. But FIU’s was even worse.

 

[UCSouth]

It was the perfect time to go for 2. Comfortable lead, in a real game, not practice. Now other teams have it on film and think that is our go to play in that situation. It opens the playbook for the next time, when the stakes may be higher.