Illinois' 4 & 1 Punt

Submitted by stubob on

Didn't see this asked in the UFR thread, so I thought I'd get an opinion.  There was one minute left in the 4th quarter, Illinois had a 4th & 1 from their own 27.  They had just gained 9 yards on second down, but gotten stuffed on 3rd.  The punt seemed like a strange, albeit safe, play.  They had been gashing us on defense all game long, and only needed their mooseback to fall forward to get the first down.  I know the turnover on downs would likely be the end of the game, assuming Michigan's FG unit can coax one through the uprights, but it seems like a really conservative play and out of character for their offense.

Thoughts?

[edit: I'm convinced by consensus that the late 4th & 1 was the right call, and that the one with 6 minutes left was more questionable.]
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Football
illinois 2010

jmblue

November 11th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^

Both punts were fine decisions.  On the first one (4th and 1 at their 42 with 6:00 to go), our backup QB was in and hadn't done anything to that point in the game.  It was far from obvious that Forcier would lead us to a bunch of TDs after that point.  In his first two possessions, we'd turned it over and then punted.  Illinois has had an excellent defense this year, and just because Denard happened to be the first QB to crack them hardly meant that Tate would do likewise.

The second one was plainly obvious.  If you fail there, you very likely lose the game in regulation - while even if you get it, you're nowhere near scoring distance.

Joined: 11/07/2008

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aawolve

November 11th, 2010 at 2:46 PM ^

I thought both were the right call. At some point it's up to the players, and I don't think Illinois' offense had quite as much of a field day as some are asserting.

Joined: 08/06/2008

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