That Iowa pick 6 being called back hurt us IMO

[Taji34]

We all know the play, 4th quarter with a little under 2 minutes to go AK throws an interception that is run back for a pick six, however the sideline ref called the player out of bounds and that's not reviewable (even though replays clearly show the Iowa player did not step out of bounds). What happens then?

Ferentz runs the clock down, forcing us to use our TOs to prevent him from running it all the way down to only 1 or 2 seconds left. Iowa kicks a FG with 30 seconds left and we have to try to march down the field to score with no TOs left. Which we fail to do.

Instead, had the player not been called out of bounds, we have closer to 2 minutes left on the clock, 2 TOs, and the ball. This extra wiggle room could have been enough for us to get a TD and force OT. Maybe it wouldn't have been, but we would have been afforded the opportunity to use 1 or 2 running plays to get down the field a bit rather than all throwing plays.

Just something I was thinking about after the game. At any other point them calling that player out helps us, but with less than 2 minutes left in the game it hurt us instead.

 

[UpAndUnder43]

Hindsight is 20/20 so of course it did. We didn’t have meaningful time on the clock when we got it back.

 

[Ope3]

We all know the play, 4th quarter with a little under 2 minutes to go AK throws an interception that is run back for a pick six, however the sideline ref called the player out of bounds and that's not reviewable (even though replays clearly show the Iowa player did not step out of bounds). What happens then?

Ferentz runs the clock down, forcing us to use our TOs to prevent him from running it all the way down to only 1 or 2 seconds left. Iowa kicks a FG with 30 seconds left and we have to try to march down the field to score with no TOs left. Which we fail to do.

Instead, had the player not been called out of bounds, we have closer to 2 minutes left on the clock, 2 TOs, and the ball. This extra wiggle room could have been enough for us to get a TD and force OT. Maybe it wouldn't have been, but we would have been afforded the opportunity to use 1 or 2 running plays to get down the field a bit rather than all throwing plays.

Just something I was thinking about after the game. At any other point them calling that player out helps us, but with less than 2 minutes left in the game it hurt us instead.

The Hawkeyes were still well out of FG range from where he was ruled out of bounds. There was an opportunity to stop them, which did not happen.

 

[Taji34]

The Hawkeyes were still well out of FG range from where he was ruled out of bounds. There was an opportunity to stop them, which did not happen.

That's true, but it gave Ferentz control of the clock at a moment where we really didn't want him to have control of it.

 

[rowdaboat]

We also had the opportunity to make our first good play against a tight end all game and failed to do so on their first play of that drive after int

 

[STPGopher]

We all know the play, 4th quarter with a little under 2 minutes to go AK throws an interception that is run back for a pick six, however the sideline ref called the player out of bounds and that's not reviewable (even though replays clearly show the Iowa player did not step out of bounds). What happens then?

Ferentz runs the clock down, forcing us to use our TOs to prevent him from running it all the way down to only 1 or 2 seconds left. Iowa kicks a FG with 30 seconds left and we have to try to march down the field to score with no TOs left. Which we fail to do.

Instead, had the player not been called out of bounds, we have closer to 2 minutes left on the clock, 2 TOs, and the ball. This extra wiggle room could have been enough for us to get a TD and force OT. Maybe it wouldn't have been, but we would have been afforded the opportunity to use 1 or 2 running plays to get down the field a bit rather than all throwing plays.

Just something I was thinking about after the game. At any other point them calling that player out helps us, but with less than 2 minutes left in the game it hurt us instead.

My brother in-law asked that very question. I was thinking about it as well when it happened. Also was wondering if we had considered letting them score the first play after.

The current receiver situation hurts in so many ways...

 

[Tucker32]

We all know the play, 4th quarter with a little under 2 minutes to go AK throws an interception that is run back for a pick six, however the sideline ref called the player out of bounds and that's not reviewable (even though replays clearly show the Iowa player did not step out of bounds). What happens then?

Ferentz runs the clock down, forcing us to use our TOs to prevent him from running it all the way down to only 1 or 2 seconds left. Iowa kicks a FG with 30 seconds left and we have to try to march down the field to score with no TOs left. Which we fail to do.

Instead, had the player not been called out of bounds, we have closer to 2 minutes left on the clock, 2 TOs, and the ball. This extra wiggle room could have been enough for us to get a TD and force OT. Maybe it wouldn't have been, but we would have been afforded the opportunity to use 1 or 2 running plays to get down the field a bit rather than all throwing plays.

Just something I was thinking about after the game. At any other point them calling that player out helps us, but with less than 2 minutes left in the game it hurt us instead.

How about making a stop instead of letting the TE run free again. None of this matters if we make the stop, which the refs gave us the chance to do.

 

[Plato]

The error that officials made completely favored MN.
MN running #24 every down from the MN 25-yard line and scoring a TD in two minutes against the IA defense is a pipe dream.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Counterpoint: The 33 yard pass after the pick hurt us more.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Playing the odds probably better to let them score with 1:20 left or whatever it was after they made it inside the 10 yard line rather than hoping for a missed field goal, fumble. We see all the time where coaches allow time to run down and then pray a 25 yard field goal gets shanked which is really unlikely, with the possible exception of Vikings or Gophers.

 

[60's Guy]

Obviously, if the ref doesn't mess up and gives them their deserved TD interception return...well, obviously we win. Gophers march down and score the touchdown, go for 2 and win the game.

Okay, the chances of PJ going for 2 and tearing their hearts out are pretty small but ... fun to think about.

 

[AF_Howie_2180]

I was surprised PJ still had any Time Outs left by that point in the game

 

[Replacement Gopher]

Counterpoint: The 33 yard pass after the pick hurt us more.

The fact Ferentz didn't clam up and immediately took a shot down the field also helped their cause.

 

[BilldGopher]

Letting them score here is not conservative...

 

[MNVCGUY]

The reality is that driving the length of the field and scoring a TD was going to be a tall order with a limited amount of time left on the clock.

The killer was Howden getting sucked in to the LOS and letting the TE run free down the middle. I don't understand how you don't blanket every Iowa TE on every play as that is almost certainly where any throws are going to go.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

The reality is that driving the length of the field and scoring a TD was going to be a tall order with a limited amount of time left on the clock.

The killer was Howden getting sucked in to the LOS and letting the TE run free down the middle. I don't understand how you don't blanket every Iowa TE on every play as that is almost certainly where any throws are going to go.

The multiple Iowa big plays and completions with players seemingly uncovered was a head scratcher. Minnesota seemed determined to shut down the Iowa run game to the detriment of all else and Ferentz was more than happy to play along and pass the ball. Ferentz remains the master, PJ the pupil in this series which is sad. I don’t know whether to blame eg 55 and 23 or the coaches.

 

[Gophers_4life]

The Hawkeyes were still well out of FG range from where he was ruled out of bounds. There was an opportunity to stop them, which did not happen.

Sure.

This is "technically" correct.


But every single person in that damned stadium knew exactly what would happen, as soon as that pick and run back happened.

And it was exactly what did happen.

 

[MNVCGUY]

The multiple Iowa big plays and completions with players seemingly uncovered was a head scratcher. Minnesota seemed determined to shut down the Iowa run game to the detriment of all else and Ferentz was more than happy to play along and pass the ball. Ferentz remains the master, PJ the pupil in this series which is sad. I don’t know whether to blame eg 55 and 23 or the coaches.

On that last big pass play they highlighted Howden getting caught up near the line allowing the TE to run free down the middle. That is a tough cover for any LB and usually requires safety help. That said, we definitely seem to have an issue with covering TEs as we have given up a number of big pass plays to TEs this year.

 

[Gophers_4life]

Even despite all of that ......

if, somehow, AK had thrown his final ball about a half second earlier, and it had been about 4-5 yards more inside ... I think Wright makes a circus catch on it, landing out of bounds, with 1 second remaining.

Do we have a chance in hell at a FG to tie it??? We'll never know

 

[Ope3]

Sure.

This is "technically" correct.


But every single person in that damned stadium knew exactly what would happen, as soon as that pick and run back happened.

And it was exactly what did happen.

I disagree. Iowa was fully capable of shooting themselves in the foot, they had 2 drives stalled because the center snapped it over the QBs head. Gophers also stopped another drive that had got inside the 25 with a sack.

With the NW win if they could have even forced a FG attempt from around 40 yds, it would have been dicey.

1 play after the pick, then I knew what was going to happen. Though, even that chip shot barely got within the uprights.

 

[Panthadad2]

I disagree. Iowa was fully capable of shooting themselves in the foot, they had 2 drives stalled because the center snapped it over the QBs head. Gophers also stopped another drive that had got inside the 25 with a sack.

With the NW win if they could have even forced a FG attempt from around 40 yds, it would have been dicey.

1 play after the pick, then I knew what was going to happen. Though, even that chip shot barely got within the uprights.

I originally thought he missed the FG in real time.

 

[Gophers_4life]

I disagree. Iowa was fully capable of shooting themselves in the foot, they had 2 drives stalled because the center snapped it over the QBs head. Gophers also stopped another drive that had got inside the 25 with a sack.

With the NW win if they could have even forced a FG attempt from around 40 yds, it would have been dicey.

1 play after the pick, then I knew what was going to happen. Though, even that chip shot barely got within the uprights.

Bolded: OK. For me, I knew it as soon as the ball bounced up and was picked, and then the guy ran it back. Should've been a pick six. Football gods s__t on us again.

 

[Gophers_4life]

I originally thought he missed the FG in real time.

I didn't need to look. I only have so much faith.

 

[Ope3]

Bolded: OK. For me, I knew it as soon as the ball bounced up and was picked, and then the guy ran it back. Should've been a pick six. Football gods s__t on us again.

I am agnostic when it comes to football gods. I believe more in acquiring talent, preparation and performing.

 

[Great Plains Gopher]

We all know the play, 4th quarter with a little under 2 minutes to go AK throws an interception that is run back for a pick six, however the sideline ref called the player out of bounds and that's not reviewable (even though replays clearly show the Iowa player did not step out of bounds). What happens then?

Ferentz runs the clock down, forcing us to use our TOs to prevent him from running it all the way down to only 1 or 2 seconds left. Iowa kicks a FG with 30 seconds left and we have to try to march down the field to score with no TOs left. Which we fail to do.

Instead, had the player not been called out of bounds, we have closer to 2 minutes left on the clock, 2 TOs, and the ball. This extra wiggle room could have been enough for us to get a TD and force OT. Maybe it wouldn't have been, but we would have been afforded the opportunity to use 1 or 2 running plays to get down the field a bit rather than all throwing plays.

Just something I was thinking about after the game. At any other point them calling that player out helps us, but with less than 2 minutes left in the game it hurt us instead.

Interesting analysis.

 

[tjgopher]

I disagree. Iowa was fully capable of shooting themselves in the foot, they had 2 drives stalled because the center snapped it over the QBs head.

Actually, the snaps were just muffed by the QB. Neither went over the QB's head. Both hit him in the hands. Which makes your point even stronger, actually.

Heck, they actually nearly fumbled near the goal line right before the FG, which would have been incredible. It appeared he was down, but no conclusive replay.

But, the pass play after the INT was a killer.

 

[Gophergrandpa]

We all know the play, 4th quarter with a little under 2 minutes to go AK throws an interception that is run back for a pick six, however the sideline ref called the player out of bounds and that's not reviewable (even though replays clearly show the Iowa player did not step out of bounds). What happens then?

Ferentz runs the clock down, forcing us to use our TOs to prevent him from running it all the way down to only 1 or 2 seconds left. Iowa kicks a FG with 30 seconds left and we have to try to march down the field to score with no TOs left. Which we fail to do.

Instead, had the player not been called out of bounds, we have closer to 2 minutes left on the clock, 2 TOs, and the ball. This extra wiggle room could have been enough for us to get a TD and force OT. Maybe it wouldn't have been, but we would have been afforded the opportunity to use 1 or 2 running plays to get down the field a bit rather than all throwing plays.

Just something I was thinking about after the game. At any other point them calling that player out helps us, but with less than 2 minutes left in the game it hurt us instead.

Theoretically, yes, for a normal team. But we didn’t get TDs in the previous two drives, which had lesser stakes. Instead, we lost a fumble and threw an interception. What makes you think that this time we would have scored a TD with only two minutes left? A Mo-runs-every-time-into-a-stacked-box drive takes 5-6 minute minimum. And our passing game was left for dead by the coaches. Hard to jump start it under these circumstances.

 

[WindyCityGopher]

Theoretically, yes, for a normal team. But we didn’t get TDs in the previous two drives, which had lesser stakes. Instead, we lost a fumble and threw an interception. What makes you think that this time we would have scored a TD with only two minutes left? A Mo-runs-every-time-into-a-stacked-box drive takes 5-6 minute minimum. And our passing game was left for dead by the coaches. Hard to jump start it under these circumstances.

Exactly. This offense is not set up to be able to score a TD in less than 2 minutes, especially against a very good defense. We refuse to pass and those times we do we don’t have receivers who can get open. In my estimation there’s no way we come back and answer a pick 6 with a TD in that instance.

 

[Ope3]

Actually, the snaps were just muffed by the QB. Neither went over the QB's head. Both hit him in the hands. Which makes your point even stronger, actually.

Heck, they actually nearly fumbled near the goal line right before the FG, which would have been incredible. It appeared he was down, but no conclusive replay.

But, the pass play after the INT was a killer.

One was so far past him I just naturally blamed the center, but true looks like they were both on the QB, unless there was a snap count mishap.

 

[WilliamsArenaGuy]

Actually, the snaps were just muffed by the QB. Neither went over the QB's head. Both hit him in the hands. Which makes your point even stronger, actually.

Heck, they actually nearly fumbled near the goal line right before the FG, which would have been incredible. It appeared he was down, but no conclusive replay.

But, the pass play after the INT was a killer.

This. I can't believe Iowa handed off at the end. First of all, we should have let them score. Second, they should have known that and just downed it. Third, they should have downed it anyway to avoid the catastrophe that almost happened. Stupid all around. Too bad for once the amazingly crazy ending didn't go our way.