Well, not a very good showing, was it. I was (mercifully) not able to go to the game or watch it on TV, but nothing sounds too compelling about it. USC is simply in a different class than UVA, and it showed.
Friends at the game said Pete Carroll really ran up the score, going on 4th down late, etc. In the old days, this was unsportsmanlike. Today, where margin of victory counts in the formulas determining championships, this has to be expected.
Next week is another home game against the Richmond Spiders. Richmond had a great team last year, and they are going to be a very tough team to beat.
I didn't see them run up the score at all. 4th quarter, 4th and 1 at the Virginia 38. Too close to punt, too far away to try a FG, especially up big time. You have to go for it. Second time, 4th and 9 from the 10. You don't need the field goal, you have Mustain in, you have to go for it and throw it. I don't think Carroll was trying to run it up at all. Besides, they play Ohio State in 2 weeks and needed a little extra work. I don't think he was thinking margin of victory but was thinking of more of Ohio State
ReplyDeleteToo close to punt? You're kiddin me, right?
ReplyDeleteAt that time and situation, it's absolutely too close to punt. It's a 38 yard punt to the end line. Chances are it's a touchback, so you have an 18 yard punt. I would bet the farm that if the same situation came up in the 2nd quarter, he still would have gone for it. It's one yard and UVA hasn't stopped you all day.
ReplyDeleteThe best coaches are gamblers - Carroll, Miles, Stoops, Saban will more often than not go for it in a 4th and 1 from the 38, when situation dictates. 4th and 1 in the 4th quarter with 8 minutes to play and up by 30 some odd points, all would have gone for it.
Besides, I haven't seen one written account complaining about running up the score.