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DarthMagnusThe fake punt was probably a poor call. For the sake of argument though, I thought I'd make a post about why the fake was not a horrible call. Its a risk--but I don't think it is as big a deal as people make it out to be. It's not so much a dumb play call as it is an admission that your position is so bad, it can't get much worse.
Punting out of the back of your own endzone is a perilous endeavor. There is a real chance that the punt will be blocked. And if it is not blocked, the net on the punt will likely be <40 yards. Even if you don't get all 18 yards needed for the first down, there is a remote chance that your rugby national champion punter will catch the defense off guard or that the defense does something stupid and draws a penalty (which they did.) Difference in starting field position is probably 20-30 yards.
Given that Boise is moving the ball at will and in chunks of 15+ yards (*when they aren't turning it over,) 20-30 yards in field position is rather trivial. Give them the ball at your own 15 or at your own 35. How much of a difference is that when Boise is biting off 15+ per play?
Benefits of the fake: don't risk a block. possibility to catch defense off-guard and pick up first down. crazy play results in penalty allowing for first down or more effective punt position.
Downsides of the fake: 25 yards of field position against a team averaging 10+ per play at that point in the game.
Punting out of the back of your own endzone is a perilous endeavor. There is a real chance that the punt will be blocked. And if it is not blocked, the net on the punt will likely be <40 yards. Even if you don't get all 18 yards needed for the first down, there is a remote chance that your rugby national champion punter will catch the defense off guard or that the defense does something stupid and draws a penalty (which they did.) Difference in starting field position is probably 20-30 yards.
Given that Boise is moving the ball at will and in chunks of 15+ yards (*when they aren't turning it over,) 20-30 yards in field position is rather trivial. Give them the ball at your own 15 or at your own 35. How much of a difference is that when Boise is biting off 15+ per play?
Benefits of the fake: don't risk a block. possibility to catch defense off-guard and pick up first down. crazy play results in penalty allowing for first down or more effective punt position.
Downsides of the fake: 25 yards of field position against a team averaging 10+ per play at that point in the game.