Worst call in BYU history - Page 2 - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

BYU71 · 12-28-2007, 06:11 PM

I guess if you say part of the decision being good or bad depends on whether the game was eventually won or not, I guess the one involved in a loss would always be worse.

However, you and I don't know what would have happened if Crowton played it safe and punted. You are just assuming we would have won, you don't know that. I do know that if he had punted and lost, a lot of people would be calling him out over the decision. They would have said he should have tried to get the first down.

Anae's decision had no upside, unless you think Harvey could break one off up the middle and go 95 yds.

Jeff Lebowski · 12-28-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilmf

Just to clarify -- are you referring to the 2006 BC game or the one in 2005? Maybe Bronco punted in 2006 late in the game (I can't recall that play), but if you're referring to the 2005 game in Provo, I think the punt you have in your poll was actually at the end of the first half (not late in the game), and as such has no business being in a poll like this. I would imagine you're referring to something in the '06 game though.

It was in the 2005 game in Provo, Bronco's first game as head coach. And it was near the end of the game. BC ended up chewing up the clock and we didn't get the ball back. After the game, Bronco admitted that it was a rookie mistake.

Jeff Lebowski · 12-28-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYU71

I guess if you say part of the decision being good or bad depends on whether the game was eventually won or not, I guess the one involved in a loss would always be worse.

However, you and I don't know what would have happened if Crowton played it safe and punted. You are just assuming we would have won, you don't know that. I do know that if he had punted and lost, a lot of people would be calling him out over the decision. They would have said he should have tried to get the first down.

True, but our defense was playing extremely well in that game. Stanford hadn't moved the ball much at all in the second half as I recall.

Indy Coug · 12-28-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

True, but our defense was playing extremely well in that game. Stanford hadn't moved the ball much at all in the second half as I recall.

However, they had just given up a 60 yard punt return.

Cali Coug · 12-28-2007, 06:28 PM

Oddly enough, Bronco again punted on 4th and 2 from inside the 35 against UCLA in the bowl game. It was yet another really, really bad call.

Cali Coug · 12-28-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

There was still something like 3 minutes left in the Stanford game. There was less than 30 seconds left in the first half against UCLA.

There was something to be gained by getting a first down, by run or pass against Stanford, in order to run out the clock. Stanford had the time, the time outs and the ability to win the game after getting the ball back.

There was nothing to be gained by running the ball against UCLA. UCLA only had one timeout and likely wouldn't have even used it if BYU had just taken a knee. BYU was up 11 and had all the momentum on their side.

The UCLA call was clearly the stupider of the two and anyone who disagrees with it is as BYU71 described them.

True, but I think the explanation is what killed Crowton. If he did it to avoid punting, that is one thing. But he said he passed to win by 9, not by 2. That is just stupid.

Cali Coug · 12-28-2007, 06:34 PM

Anae not knowing what a screen pass is against UCLA also comes to mind (being a recent decision).

How about Crowton's decision to play QB carousel?

Bronco's decision to prepare for a punt return when a fake punt by Utah was pretty obviously a strong possibility?

woot · 12-28-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

True, but I think the explanation is what killed Crowton. If he did it to avoid punting, that is one thing. But he said he passed to win by 9, not by 2. That is just stupid.

That explanation, along with the ultimate result, are why I voted for Crowton's call. Bronco's explanation was also stupid, since having confidence in your running game, particularly when Unga had been getting hammered in the backfield all game, doesn't seem wise or relevant in that situation, but it's still not as dumb as Crowton's explanation.

cougjunkie · 12-28-2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insensitive PAP

The stretch handoff is a great play. I'd much rather have seen that against UCLA than a counter up the middle against a 9 man front.

We are not the Colts. I think the stretch is a nice play if you have a shifty running back (Joseph Addai) that can cut back and hit the hole and get up field, it is not a good play when you have three power backs that take a while to get going.

Also run it all you want but on 3rd and 4th and short why would you want your running back starting with the ball 4-5 yards deep in the backfield when all he needs is 2-3 feet?

Jeff Lebowski · 12-28-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

Anae not knowing what a screen pass is against UCLA also comes to mind (being a recent decision).

Candidate for worst call? That's crazy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

How about Crowton's decision to play QB carousel?

See above.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

Bronco's decision to prepare for a punt return when a fake punt by Utah was pretty obviously a strong possibility?

Not even close.

View Poll Results: What is the worst game-time decision
Crowton's attempt to "win by 9 instead of by 2", late in the game, resulting in an INT by Beck	15	41.67%
Bronco punting on the 35-yd-line on fourth and 2 late in the game vs. BC.	2	5.56%
Anae handing off to Unga at the end of the first half vs. UCLA	17	47.22%
Other (please describe)	2	5.56%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

12-28-2007, 06:11 PM	#11
BYU71 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5,084	I guess if you say part of the decision being good or bad depends on whether the game was eventually won or not, I guess the one involved in a loss would always be worse. However, you and I don't know what would have happened if Crowton played it safe and punted. You are just assuming we would have won, you don't know that. I do know that if he had punted and lost, a lot of people would be calling him out over the decision. They would have said he should have tried to get the first down. Anae's decision had no upside, unless you think Harvey could break one off up the middle and go 95 yds.

12-28-2007, 06:28 PM	#15
Cali Coug Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 5,996	Oddly enough, Bronco again punted on 4th and 2 from inside the 35 against UCLA in the bowl game. It was yet another really, really bad call.

12-28-2007, 06:34 PM	#17
Cali Coug Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 5,996	Anae not knowing what a screen pass is against UCLA also comes to mind (being a recent decision). How about Crowton's decision to play QB carousel? Bronco's decision to prepare for a punt return when a fake punt by Utah was pretty obviously a strong possibility?