Time Management

[josh087]

I know that is the "correct" thing to do, but that lack of killer instinct can lose games as well.

Are you referring to the killer instinct where the player would kneel instead of scoring, thereby ending the game?

Or the killer instinct where the player scores, thereby giving a team that has compiled close to 500 yards in the game a final chance to tie the game with ample time left?

 

[short ornery norwegian]

If, If, If If.

If the Gophers kneel down short of the end zone, then lose a fumble on the next play, (almost) everyone would be ripping Brooks for not scoring the TD.

Of course, the Gophers could have tried an onside kick after their TD to keep the ball away from Illinois. We all know how well they execute that play......

 

[Spoofin]

Iowa did the same thing the week before. By taking the late TD they gave us a chance. They could have stopped short and ran the clock out. Instead we scored and we're just an onside kick from having a chance

I don't fault SB27 at all, but it is not debatable that by scoring he gave IL a chance to come back and tie (had we not gone/got 2) that they would not have had if he just fell down. Again, not ripping Shannon, just stating facts.

 

[Governor Sibley]

(1) Going down is the right play.

(2) There's not a single college football player with the instincts to have done it from 74 yards out.

It's asking too much.

 

[Maverick]

Just like the interception on 4th down. Bat it down is best, instincts take over and the interception is made.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[jonnyganas]

I understand the video-game Madden strategy of kneeling prior to scoring, but only Gopher fans would have such a conservative take on what was an amazing play.

As a player, which scenario would make you feel inspired and motivated to give you momentum going into the Axe game: your coach tells you to protect a slim 1pt lead by kneeling OR score the homerun TD and your coach has confidence in you to go for 2 and put the game away?

I think the former scenario would invite doubt going into the WI game. I'd rather have the latter and feel confident to finally get the Axe back.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

If, If, If If.

If the Gophers kneel down short of the end zone, then lose a fumble on the next play, (almost) everyone would be ripping Brooks for not scoring the TD.

Of course, the Gophers could have tried an onside kick after their TD to keep the ball away from Illinois. We all know how well they execute that play......

If Brooks took a knee and then we turned it over fumbling on a quarterback kneel, I would be ripping Leidner and Moore for failing to execute the snap.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

I understand the video-game Madden strategy of kneeling prior to scoring, but only Gopher fans would have such a conservative take on what was an amazing play.

As a player, which scenario would make you feel inspired and motivated to give you momentum going into the Axe game: your coach tells you to protect a slim 1pt lead by kneeling OR score the homerun TD and your coach has confidence in you to go for 2 and put the game away?

I think the former scenario would invite doubt going into the WI game. I'd rather have the latter and feel confident to finally get the Axe back.

You play Madden differently than I do. My Madden play would have been to score, go for two, pick off the other team's two minute offense, and then start chucking hail mary's to win by double digits.

 

[josh087]

If Brooks took a knee and then we turned it over fumbling on a quarterback kneel, I would be ripping Leidner and Moore for failing to execute the snap.

Ive never seen or read about a game in the history of college or pro football where a team taking a knee fumbles the ball and allows the other team to tie or win the game.

I've seen and read about MANY games in the history of college or pro football where a team goes down the field in the final two minutes and scores a TD + a 2 pt conversion to tie or win the game.

You slide 100% of the time on that play. Any other decision than that is either wrong or not understood properly. No other conclusion can be reached.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

Ive never seen or read about a game in the history of college or pro football where a team taking a knee fumbles the ball and allows the other team to tie or win the game.

I've seen and read about MANY games in the history of college or pro football where a team goes down the field in the final two minutes and scores a TD + a 2 pt conversion to tie or win the game.

You slide 100% of the time on that play. Any other decision than that is either wrong or not understood properly. No other conclusion can be reached.

I agree with you. I was responding to someone who suggested that if Brooks took a slide and then we fumbled on the kneel play, that most people would blame Brooks.

 

[killme]

Ive never seen or read about a game in the history of college or pro football where a team taking a knee fumbles the ball and allows the other team to tie or win the game.

I've seen and read about MANY games in the history of college or pro football where a team goes down the field in the final two minutes and scores a TD + a 2 pt conversion to tie or win the game.

You slide 100% of the time on that play. Any other decision than that is either wrong or not understood properly. No other conclusion can be reached.

I’m pretty sure snaps have been fumbled and recovered by the other team when trying to take a knee. The two issues here are percentages and desire to have the most possible control over the outcome. Before the play we all were hoping for a first down to seal the game. Once he broke it, the farther he ran away from Illinois field goal range seemed to favor our odds, but also put other factors into play like an illegal block behind the play, for instance. Brooks taking a knee seems to increase our control, but in a 1-point game with 1:25 left, going up by 7 may have increased our odds. As unlikely as it is, with an Illini timeout, potential for officials to make up a clock-stopping phantom procedure penalty, or the dubious fumbled snap, I don’t think a 100% right answer has been established.

The best part of the end was TC choosing to make it a 2-possession game by going for 2, thus exercising control. Coupled with the decision to go for it against Mich, he has demonstrated confidence in our offense, and Mitch in particular, and I believe we will benefit from that down the road.