Opinion on the Punting Play

[RocknRollface]

As others have stated, why show it when it is not needed. Anytime we use a play like a fake punt it will be a surprise to our opponents in my opinion and no, I am not saying that as a slight to our coach for those of you that might 'assume'...

Its not a fake punt and you likely wont see a team stupid enough to just leave a receiver uncovered like that very often.

Theres no reason not to throw the ball there when your punter is a former elite 11 QB.

 

[RocknRollface]

Called off the dogs by passing it a crap ton... not buying this.

Actually thats exactly what it was.

Weisman could have run for 300 yards had they kept pounding them. They were basically trying to use the second half to work out some of the many kinks in the passing game.

 

[RocknRollface]

I think the reason we didn't throw it was because we needed 18 yards for the first down (if I remember correctly). I think maybe they were trying to bait us into throwing it and then would have people mover over and the deep guy come up and make the tackle. If that is 4th and 5 no doubt we throw that, but with needing that many yards I think it was probably the best bet to go ahead and punt.

Thats makes sense, hadn't thought of that.

Kill dosen't seem like the type to make obvious mistakes, it could have been deliberate.

 

[CHShawk]

There are statistics that indicate going for it on fourth down in almost all circumstances is actually playing the percentages. HBO Real Sports did a segment last year on this head coach of an Arkansas high school, Kevin Kelley. Here's a video an interview with Kevin Kelley worth watching if you have 6 minutes to spare:

Kevin Kelley's Unorthodox Approach to Football - YouTube

Also the San Diego State head coach has started using a similar philosophy. Here's a link.
College Football handicapping: No Punting at San Diego State?

Maybe the game will eventually start moving towards these types of philosophies although I imagine it will be a long time before they ever become the norm.

 

[Keeker16]

I have seen teams rush their outside guy in prior to the punt to make it appear as if they are leaving the gunner free, only to then sprint a guy out/back to try and cover the gunner right when the ball is snapped. I can't recall what the amount of yardage needed was, but I don't think it as much of a slam dunk play as it appears. However, it is a risky tactic on the defenses part and I was hoping to see us try and throw just to see what would have happened.

 

[CP87]

I have seen teams rush their outside guy in prior to the punt to make it appear as if they are leaving the gunner free, only to then sprint a guy out/back to try and cover the gunner right when the ball is snapped. I can't recall what the amount of yardage needed was, but I don't think it as much of a slam dunk play as it appears. However, it is a risky tactic on the defenses part and I was hoping to see us try and throw just to see what would have happened.

It was 4th and 21. Gophers were baiting them to try and convert. It would have been a pretty tough conversion with the safety over the top and a corner sprinting over to cover at the snap.

 

[hawkfan340]

There are statistics that indicate going for it on fourth down in almost all circumstances is actually playing the percentages. HBO Real Sports did a segment last year on this head coach of an Arkansas high school, Kevin Kelley. Here's a video an interview with Kevin Kelley worth watching if you have 6 minutes to spare:

Kevin Kelley's Unorthodox Approach to Football - YouTube

Also the San Diego State head coach has started using a similar philosophy. Here's a link.
College Football handicapping: No Punting at San Diego State?

Maybe the game will eventually start moving towards these types of philosophies although I imagine it will be a long time before they ever become the norm.

Yep, it's an inefficiency of the game waiting to be exposed.

 

[thetrza]

The punt team seemed to be communicating with hand signals that I had never seen before. Its the sort of thing you see the special teams for other programs do, you know, the whole hand signals and communication thing. They could have used that sort of thing last weekend.

 

[DaBears]

haha some of you guys... The dude was WIDE OPEN by about 30 yards. A lineman could have made and that throw.

 

[kicker22]

I'm one that wonders like others if there actually was an intention to throw Cotton's way on that play. Even after they left him on the island all by himself he still appeared very reluctant to move back inside both before and after the timeout. To me it seemed as though he was either completely lost or we somehow audibled and brought him back inside.

 

[Eda]

I have seen teams rush their outside guy in prior to the punt to make it appear as if they are leaving the gunner free, only to then sprint a guy out/back to try and cover the gunner right when the ball is snapped. I can't recall what the amount of yardage needed was, but I don't think it as much of a slam dunk play as it appears. However, it is a risky tactic on the defenses part and I was hoping to see us try and throw just to see what would have happened.

I don't think most teams have a backup qb punting the ball. We needed 21 yds for the first, so might not have been a slam dunk... But u think we at least get close to it, ( one missed tackle and we score - one made tackle and we're giving the ball up inside the 35 yd line).
If its CK back punting, you don't try it. But since its the backup qb and one of the main receivers I would suggest to try it.
FWIW, their next drive minny was marching it down before Kirksey's pick6.

 

[storminspank]

I thought they called off a fake punt.