Four point field goals

[SWC75]

Dino Babers chose to have Cole Murphy attempt a 53 yard field goal, his longest ever on 4th and 8 from the Miami 35 with 5:23 left in the game and SU down 16-20. He made it and were now down by a point with enough time left to get the ball back. We almost had an interception and did have a shot at the end after giving up the big TD run. If we stopped them before that Murphy, who was 4 for 4 might have gotten a shot to win it with another kick. So it's hard to criticize Babers for not going for it rather than trying the 53 yarder.

But it brought back a vague memory. I remember a game in the Pasqualoni Era where we were down by 4 to, I think Boston College, (I think it must have been the 1999 game, which we lost 23-24), and opted for a field goal and didn't get the ball back. I recall a lot of criticism of Coach P's math, suggesting perhaps he thought that field goals were 4 points. For a long time afterwards when his critics presented a litany of their complaints, the "4 point field goal" was always one of them.

Does anyone remember the details of the Coach P decision? Are we using a double standard here because Coach Babers is more popular with the fan base than Coach P was at that point?

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Dino Babers chose to have Cole Murphy attempt a 53 yard field goal, his longest ever on 4th and 8 from the Miami 35 with 5:23 left in the game and SU down 16-20. He made it and were now down by a point with enough time left to get the ball back. We almost had an interception and did have a shot at the end after giving up the big TD run. If we stopped them before that Murphy, who was 4 for 4 might have gotten a shot to win it with another kick. So it's hard to criticize Babers for not going for it rather than trying the 53 yarder.

But it brought back a vague memory. I remember a game in the Pasqualoni Era where we were down by 4 to, I think Boston College, (I think it must have been the 1999 game, which we lost 23-24), and opted for a field goal and didn't get the ball back. I recall a lot of criticism of Coach P's math, suggesting perhaps he thought that field goals were 4 points. For a long time afterwards when his critics presented a litany of their complaints, the "4 point field goal" was always one of them.

Does anyone remember the details of the Coach P decision? Are we using a double standard here because Coach Babers is more popular with the fan base than Coach P was at that point?

2000 game at BC

Down by 7 points, 4th and 3 from the BC 23. Maybe 3 minutes left?

We missed the FG attempt, and didn't see the ball again. Lost 20-13.

 

[TheCusian]

Dino Babers chose to have Cole Murphy attempt a 53 yard field goal, his longest ever on 4th and 8 from the Miami 35 with 5:23 left in the game and SU down 16-20. He made it and were now down by a point with enough time left to get the ball back. We almost had an interception and did have a shot at the end after giving up the big TD run. If we stopped them before that Murphy, who was 4 for 4 might have gotten a shot to win it with another kick. So it's hard to criticize Babers for not going for it rather than trying the 53 yarder.

But it brought back a vague memory. I remember a game in the Pasqualoni Era where we were down by 4 to, I think Boston College, (I think it must have been the 1999 game, which we lost 23-24), and opted for a field goal and didn't get the ball back. I recall a lot of criticism of Coach P's math, suggesting perhaps he thought that field goals were 4 points. For a long time afterwards when his critics presented a litany of their complaints, the "4 point field goal" was always one of them.

Does anyone remember the details of the Coach P decision? Are we using a double standard here because Coach Babers is more popular with the fan base than Coach P was at that point?

It might be that a Babers O is easier to trust than a coach P O. Tempo has changed the way we think about offense a bit

 

[sufandu]

Dino Babers chose to have Cole Murphy attempt a 53 yard field goal, his longest ever on 4th and 8 from the Miami 35 with 5:23 left in the game and SU down 16-20. He made it and were now down by a point with enough time left to get the ball back. We almost had an interception and did have a shot at the end after giving up the big TD run. If we stopped them before that Murphy, who was 4 for 4 might have gotten a shot to win it with another kick. So it's hard to criticize Babers for not going for it rather than trying the 53 yarder.

But it brought back a vague memory. I remember a game in the Pasqualoni Era where we were down by 4 to, I think Boston College, (I think it must have been the 1999 game, which we lost 23-24), and opted for a field goal and didn't get the ball back. I recall a lot of criticism of Coach P's math, suggesting perhaps he thought that field goals were 4 points. For a long time afterwards when his critics presented a litany of their complaints, the "4 point field goal" was always one of them.

Does anyone remember the details of the Coach P decision? Are we using a double standard here because Coach Babers is more popular with the fan base than Coach P was at that point?

I think we all have more confidence in this offense scoring than any P offense after '98. That changes the decision making.

 

[CuseCactus]

I think we all have more confidence in this offense scoring than any P offense after '98. That changes the decision making.

100% agreed. The clock management upgrade alone is a dramatic improvement from the meathead years.

 

[PhatOrange]

No, the glaring difference is on Saturday (with a stop) 2 field goals win the game.

Against BC, one field goal does nothing because you still need to get a TD, unless of course you can kick a "4 point goal."

 

[OrangeAl]

In Dino's case, the FG set them up to win the game with another FG.
In Coach P's case, we still needed a touchdown, even if that FG was good.
The disappointment for me was that he had such little faith in his offense that he didn't try to seize the opportunity of getting the TD on that drive.
And, of course, opportunity didn't come knocking twice.

 

[Chip]

2000 game at BC

Down by 7 points, 4th and 3 from the BC 23. Maybe 3 minutes left?

We missed the FG attempt, and didn't see the ball again. Lost 20-13.

Yep, apples to apples would be compare the FG we kicked to make it 20-16. But there was just under 10 minutes left in the game and it was 4th and 26. Not quite the same apples.

 

[Millhouse]

Dino Babers chose to have Cole Murphy attempt a 53 yard field goal, his longest ever on 4th and 8 from the Miami 35 with 5:23 left in the game and SU down 16-20. He made it and were now down by a point with enough time left to get the ball back. We almost had an interception and did have a shot at the end after giving up the big TD run. If we stopped them before that Murphy, who was 4 for 4 might have gotten a shot to win it with another kick. So it's hard to criticize Babers for not going for it rather than trying the 53 yarder.

But it brought back a vague memory. I remember a game in the Pasqualoni Era where we were down by 4 to, I think Boston College, (I think it must have been the 1999 game, which we lost 23-24), and opted for a field goal and didn't get the ball back. I recall a lot of criticism of Coach P's math, suggesting perhaps he thought that field goals were 4 points. For a long time afterwards when his critics presented a litany of their complaints, the "4 point field goal" was always one of them.

Does anyone remember the details of the Coach P decision? Are we using a double standard here because Coach Babers is more popular with the fan base than Coach P was at that point?

I thought it was an atrocious call by babers. But there is a difference between 4th and 3 and 4th and 8. he gets leeway from me because he is usually so smart on 4th down but he should've gone for it

 

[PhatOrange]

I thought it was an atrocious call by babers. But there is a difference between 4th and 3 and 4th and 8. he gets leeway from me because he is usually so smart on 4th down but he should've gone for it

wasn't it 4th down and a mile?

 

[UnknownOrange]

I forget what I had for lunch. You guys are incredible lol

 

[JoeSU]

No, the glaring difference is on Saturday (with a stop) 2 field goals win the game.

Against BC, one field goal does nothing because you still need to get a TD, unless of course you can kick a "4 point goal."

Also, 5:23 left (Miami) vs ~3:00 left (BC). Not sure about the TO situation, but with 3:00 left, our defense couldn't afford to give up even 1 first down.

 

[Chip]

wasn't it 4th down and a mile?

That was the FG with 10 minutes left that made it 20-16.

Millhouse is talking about the one that made it 20-19. That was 4th and 8.

That 2nd down loss of 6 was a killer. Given all the factors of the day, I think Dino gave up on relying on us to get all the way to the end zone.

If Williams holds that pick, it might have worked.

By the way, the play after the Williams near pick was the 33 yard TD run. If you watched the play, Williams just looked late in reacting. I think he was still thinking about that missed opportunity.

 

[SUFan44]

That was the FG with 10 minutes left that made it 20-16.

Millhouse is talking about the one that made it 20-19. That was 4th and 8.

That 2nd down loss of 6 was a killer. Given all the factors of the day, I think Dino gave up on relying on us to get all the way to the end zone.

If Williams holds that pick, it would have worked.

By the way, the play after the Williams near pick was the 33 yard TD run. If you watched the play, Williams just looked late in reacting. I think he was still thinking about that missed opportunity.

Williams is either ahead of the curve in reaction time or well behind. There's really no in between with him. Strange to see. He has made a number of plays behind the line but also been burnt in coverage multiple times, too. Inconsistency, as we have seen, is why certain players do not play. I sense it is the case with him, too.

 

[skurey]

Absolutely terrible decision to kick. Luckily we've been playing better or that's a hot seat offense.

 

[NKR1978]

Absolutely terrible decision to kick. Luckily we've been playing better or that's a hot seat offense.

Why was it a hot seat offense? Got us within one. If we don't score and Miami scores a TD the game is over. That gave us a chance for one last drive regardless of what Miami did.

 

[hungrychuck]

Absolutely terrible decision to kick. Luckily we've been playing better or that's a hot seat offense.

Strongly disagree with this. That kept us within one possession no matter what Miami did. Only way we're screwed is if Miami scores touchdown and then goes for 2 -- and there is no way a by-the-book coach like Richt is going to do that.

It was the right call.

 

[SUskibum]

Williams is either ahead of the curve in reaction time or well behind. There's really no in between with him. Strange to see. He has made a number of plays behind the line but also been burnt in coverage multiple times, too. Inconsistency, as we have seen, is why certain players do not play. I sense it is the case with him, too.

Reminds me of a guess hitter in baseball.

If you pitch it where he guesses, the ball won’t land for a looong time.

Throw a pitch anywhere else, and he looks completely miffed.

 

[GoSU96]

Also, 5:23 left (Miami) vs ~3:00 left (BC). Not sure about the TO situation, but with 3:00 left, our defense couldn't afford to give up even 1 first down.

4:45 vs BC

 

[skurey]

You guys are acting like a 53 yard field goal in those conditions is a sure thing. You're also acting like making a 53 yard field goal, stopping Miami, then driving back into field goal range and making it is easier than converting 4th and 8. It's not. No discussion. Stop lying to yourselves.

 

[NKR1978]

You guys are acting like a 53 yard field goal in those conditions is a sure thing. You're also acting like making a 53 yard field goal, stopping Miami, then driving back into field goal range and making it is easier than converting 4th and 8. It's not. No discussion. Stop lying to yourselves.

You act like converting 4th and 8 is a given.

Even if you’re right, the notion that a 60/40 call (at best) is a “hot seat” offense is ridiculous.

 

[skurey]

Sorry I feel like head coaches should be making the choices that give the team the best chance at winning. Not the best chance at keeping it close.

 

[Millhouse]

kicking a fg hoping to get another fg is not as bad as kicking a fg hoping to get another td

 

[Entropic]

Yep, apples to apples would be compare the FG we kicked to make it 20-16. But there was just under 10 minutes left in the game and it was 4th and 26. Not quite the same apples.

4th and under 5 I think Dino goes for it.

 

[SWC75]

2000 game at BC

Down by 7 points, 4th and 3 from the BC 23. Maybe 3 minutes left?

We missed the FG attempt, and didn't see the ball again. Lost 20-13.

Thanks. I didn't remember that we missed the FG so the 13-20 score didn't seem right. It does with a miss. I remember not pressing that particular issue myself because I though it was a judgement call with arguments either way. It may not have been the best judgment but there was a logic to it. I've often felt that if you need two scores and one could be a field goal, why not kick the field goal first if you have a good shot at it, (better % than making it on 4th down), and then worry about the touchdown. I'd rather have a Hail Mary pass that and Hail Mary kick at the end. Of course there's overtime but you don't play for extra innings on the road, or so they say.