Playing not to lose

[huskerdude171]

Ok so Nebraska gets the ball back with almost 2 minutes to go, tie ball game. Driving down the field near midfield, 2 time outs, full playbook can be utilized. Not sure what down it was but Tommy dumped it off to Newby in the flat with about 55 seconds left, goes down with maybe a 1 yard gain. Clock continues to run, team is all trying to get organized, get back to the line of scrimmage, while precious seconds tick away. With 2 timeouts at your disposal, now is the perfect time to call one, re group, get ready for 2 and 3rd down which are coming up where all you need is basically a little over 15 yards to get into FG range.

 

But instead of calling a time out, they let 20 seconds run off the clock, run a play that was a rushed play call, turns out to be incomplete, now its 3rd and 10. Here you have a plethora of options, you can play it like 4 down territory if you're aggressive, call a play that gets them just short of a first down which would be on the Wisconsin 40 yard line, or near there, then you have 4th and short and can make a decision to go or punt the ball. Or you run a play like when NU converted 4th and 9 against Oregon late in the game, and continue the drive with still a timeout left and ample play call options.

 

There could be multiple routes run across the middle, maybe throw to someone in stride and let them break a tackle for a 1st down, and then hurry to the line as the clock stop when you move the chains. But of course, Tommy locks on to a deep ball with a cornerback and safety converging on the play, a 3rd and 10, and basically you are just praying that your receiver make a play on the ball, rather than putting him in space and a position to make play after the catch. The play isn't there, the ball goes incomplete, and here you are in overtime, where anything can happen.

Then in OT, after a TD and a missed PAT, you call 2 straight runs up the gut for no yards. Then we have the botched PI where they picked Westy which was uncalled, but there's no guarantees he's gonna be open cause 2 other guys are coming back up in coverage, ball goes incomplete, its 4th down and 10. Instead of having Tommy go through progressions, look at the field and maybe roll to his right to buy time, he takes the snap, chucks in into the end zone when all you need is a 1st to keep the game going, ball isn't exactly where it needs to be in that's the ball game.

 

Terrible, terrible clock management and playcalling on the last 2 drives cost Nebraska the game, and there's no one else to blame but the coaching staff, not the refs, the coaching staff, for letting 2 golden opportunities to put the game away slip by due to inept playcalling and not having decent clock management and situational awareness. I don't blame the refs at all for the no call on Westy, it was a dicey pass in the first place because they were all over him cause they knew the ball was coming his way. So many different ways of playing the situation that would have been beneficial and given them more opportunities to win the game it was just squandered by going for it all at once instead of trying to plan ahead.

[Stone Cold]

On that note, if im nebraska i take the ball first in OT. Its harder playing comeback.

[Landlord]

All we needed was a field goal to take the lead. If we do get the field goal, or even if we don't, you also play to bleed the clock so Wisconsin does not have a chance to answer. Not calling the timeout on Newby's reception was 100% the right decision.

[huskerdude171]

On that note, if im nebraska i take the ball first in OT. Its harder playing comeback.

This isn't NFL, you want to see what the other team does so you know if you can win the game on a TD+ PAT or with a field goal

 

It was set up perfectly for them to get it done, just didn't happen

[Swiv3D]

On that note, if im nebraska i take the ball first in OT. Its harder playing comeback.

What? You always pick 2nd so that you know how many points you need to score.

[huskerdude171]

All we needed was a field goal to take the lead. If we do get the field goal, or even if we don't, you also play to bleed the clock so Wisconsin does not have a chance to answer. Not calling the timeout on Newby's reception was 100% the right decision.

You play to win the game, assume you will need the time to set up a FG, don't play not to lose, which is exactly why that decision was made.

[Landlord]

 

All we needed was a field goal to take the lead. If we do get the field goal, or even if we don't, you also play to bleed the clock so Wisconsin does not have a chance to answer. Not calling the timeout on Newby's reception was 100% the right decision.

You play to win the game, assume you will need the time to set up a FG, don't play not to lose, which is exactly why that decision was made.

 

 

 

We still had plenty of time.

[huskerdude171]

 

 

All we needed was a field goal to take the lead. If we do get the field goal, or even if we don't, you also play to bleed the clock so Wisconsin does not have a chance to answer. Not calling the timeout on Newby's reception was 100% the right decision.

You play to win the game, assume you will need the time to set up a FG, don't play not to lose, which is exactly why that decision was made.

 

 

 

We still had plenty of time.

 

Then don't throw a f'ing go route on 3rd and 10 with a safety over the top, simple f'ing play calling

[Landlord]

 

 

 

All we needed was a field goal to take the lead. If we do get the field goal, or even if we don't, you also play to bleed the clock so Wisconsin does not have a chance to answer. Not calling the timeout on Newby's reception was 100% the right decision.

You play to win the game, assume you will need the time to set up a FG, don't play not to lose, which is exactly why that decision was made.

 

 

 

We still had plenty of time.

 

Then don't throw a f'ing go route on 3rd and 10 with a safety over the top, simple f'ing play calling

 

 

 

You're right. I am sure that is exactly what Langsdorf told Tommy to do. After all, we've never seen our quarterback make a habit out of launching balls downfield with underneath receivers open.

[husker_fan_from_sweden]

All we needed was a field goal to take the lead. If we do get the field goal, or even if we don't, you also play to bleed the clock so Wisconsin does not have a chance to answer. Not calling the timeout on Newby's reception was 100% the right decision.

 

I beg to differ, you call a timeout to get the best play call in, which clearly by the pokey doke 30 second incompletion goes to show we were playing not to lose

[Landlord]

 

All we needed was a field goal to take the lead. If we do get the field goal, or even if we don't, you also play to bleed the clock so Wisconsin does not have a chance to answer. Not calling the timeout on Newby's reception was 100% the right decision.

I beg to differ, you call a timeout to get the best play call in, which clearly by the pokey doke 30 second incompletion goes to show we were playing not to lose

 

 

 

I think that's a completely different argument. It was actively smart not to call a timeout on the play in question, because if we don't convert the down series we give Wisconsin more than enough time to get in field goal range. Calling a timeout to set up the best play is an option, but then you waste that timeout from a clock management perspective.

 

tl;dr there's no perfect way to go through that scenario, but you either use that timeout for a good play call and risk not having it a few plays later when you really need it, or you use it for time management, but not on that play.

[DrunkOffPunch]

 

 

 

 

All we needed was a field goal to take the lead. If we do get the field goal, or even if we don't, you also play to bleed the clock so Wisconsin does not have a chance to answer. Not calling the timeout on Newby's reception was 100% the right decision.

You play to win the game, assume you will need the time to set up a FG, don't play not to lose, which is exactly why that decision was made.

 

 

 

We still had plenty of time.

 

Then don't throw a f'ing go route on 3rd and 10 with a safety over the top, simple f'ing play calling

 

 

 

You're right. I am sure that is exactly what Langsdorf told Tommy to do. After all, we've never seen our quarterback make a habit out of launching balls downfield with underneath receivers open.

 

Funny you mention that. Newby was open and uncovered in the flat. Would've been an easy first down. Also, first play of OT, there's a hole open on the left side of the line but Newby doesn't see it.

[3rd and long]

 

 

All we needed was a field goal to take the lead. If we do get the field goal, or even if we don't, you also play to bleed the clock so Wisconsin does not have a chance to answer. Not calling the timeout on Newby's reception was 100% the right decision.

 

You play to win the game, assume you will need the time to set up a FG, don't play not to lose, which is exactly why that decision was made.

 

We still had plenty of time.

We did have plenty of time. But nothing was organized and smooth. Call the timeout, get your offense all on the same page with the call. And you can have a couple of plays called for the ensuing play also, based on what the first play does.

 

Th biggest thing the timeout does is make sure everyone knows what your plan is. You can still control the clock from that point forward while still maintaining your last timeout for a field goal attempt.

[3rd and long]

 

 

All we needed was a field goal to take the lead. If we do get the field goal, or even if we don't, you also play to bleed the clock so Wisconsin does not have a chance to answer. Not calling the timeout on Newby's reception was 100% the right decision.

 

I beg to differ, you call a timeout to get the best play call in, which clearly by the pokey doke 30 second incompletion goes to show we were playing not to lose

 

I think that's a completely different argument. It was actively smart not to call a timeout on the play in question, because if we don't convert the down series we give Wisconsin more than enough time to get in field goal range. Calling a timeout to set up the best play is an option, but then you waste that timeout from a clock management perspective.

 

tl;dr there's no perfect way to go through that scenario, but you either use that timeout for a good play call and risk not having it a few plays later when you really need it, or you use it for time management, but not on that play.

Worrying about the time left for the other team is playing not to lose. Although even if they call the TO and get nothing on the next two plays, you punt and you're only giving Wisconsin 35-40 seconds max to go 50 yards for their FG attempt. And at least maybe you were able to run something efficiently that gives you a chance for a long FG.

[huskerfan92]

On that note, if im nebraska i take the ball first in OT. Its harder playing comeback.

 

Literally no one would do that...