- Sep 4, 2014
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Why would USF burn their last timeout on 3rd & 20 from our 34 yard line with 38 seconds left, down by 3 points & within field goal range?
The answer is they wouldn’t. They’d line up and run a 3rd down play with ample time to do so and try to get more yardage for a closer FG. Then, on 4th down (assuming they didn’t get enough yardage for the 1st down), they’d use that last timeout to get their FG unit lined up and they’d attempt a FG.
All correct. But you’re giving them a breather after a disastrous, possible game-deciding mistake, and more time to devise their strategy on the biggest 3rd down of the game. I understand your point about conserving clock, but we also gave them a chance to dial something up with time as opposed to having to rush or at least call a play within the normal time clock. I’m not saying there isn’t any argument for what was done, just as there was two weeks ago. But I wouldn’t call it prudent. It just worked.