Shafer called the timeout to make sure they got the score. I get that. It was absolutely critical to get a TD at that point.
With 60 seconds to go, you have to hope your defense can keep the other team from driving the length of the field. Then Norton F's up the kick. And you could see Shafer reaming him a new one on the sideline. That was all on Norton, who has never been mistaken for Einstein.
The real culprits are the pathetic defense we put on the field. If Reed and Bullough got canned tomorrow, it would be none too soon. Spielman said over and over that your corners can't just let the FSU WRs run by them. They MUST get a lick on them within 5 yards. Obviously, Reed has never heard of that concept.
You don't need to "hope your defense can keep the other team from driving the length of the field." You have the ball, and the clock.
My issue with Shafer is that he seems to expect, and then make in game decisions based on, some of the least likely outcomes of any given situation.
- Last year, I remember him in a post game presser (which game is a little hazy right now) defending one of his decisions to punt on 4th and short from the opponents side of the 50 late in the game and down by 1 or 2 scores. His rationale was that you punt the ball there with the idea that the defense could force a turnover and give you a chance to score. Which is CLEARLY more likely than your offense gaining 2 or 3 yards on 4th down.
- This year. CMU. Timeout at the end of the game. Yes, our D was out of position...I saw it too. But their O was confused, they didn't have a play called, and time was going to run out. Take your chances on our sandlot D vs their sandlot O because our athletes are better than CMU's. Don't let them get an organized play in.
- UVA in overtime. The defense has not stopped UVA's offense AT ALL in the second half. The only reason we aren't getting blown out is Dungey and the offense scoring to keep us in the game. So in OT, when choosing to kick to tie or go for 2 to win, why put the game in the hands of the unit that is currently succeeding when you can ask the defense to do something they haven't done in 30 minutes of regulation plus one overtime?
- Pitt. Squib kick. It was a questionable call. I know lots of teams do it, but I don't understand why you expect it's more likely there will be kick return for a TD at the end of the half than on the opening KO, or midway through the 1st quarter, or any other time. Kick it deep, and execute the damn kickoff coverage. Why willingly give them extra yards they haven't had to earn, especially with the clock working against them?
- Today. 2nd and goal at the end of the half. I get wanting to make sure that you score. You also don't want the team that has been shredding your defense to have 50+ seconds left to return the favor. It's 2nd and goal with a minute left. No high school JV football coach in Wyoming would do what Shafer did today. It's almost impossible to run out of clock in that position, even running from a huddle. And if his presser comments are right, and the offense was gassed after a 4 play drive, then we have bigger issues than just his decision making.
- Today. Squib kick. You just got screwed by this decision last week by Pitt in almost identical circumstances. Why not try it again, clearly Pitt's offense was just more potent than FSU's.
These are just the examples I can come up with after 10 beers and a couple Maker's Marks. With each progressive decision this staff makes in games, I become more convinced that they are improving the talent but at the same time holding the talent back by making bad in game decisions.
