Millhouse is absolutely 100% correct on the idiocy of those two decisions (man I didn't think I'd ever be typing a sentence like that ...).
Time and again, this staff does not show faith in its team. Time and again, this staff does not choose to be bold (hell on many of the occasions they don't even choose to be practical) and opt for the aggressive play over the ultra-conservative approach. And time and time again, that choice comes back to haunt them.
There simply was NO logical reason to punt on 4th and 9 at the USC 32. None. Further, down two scores in the 4th quarter, there is NO logical reason to punt on 4th and 2 at midfield. None.