I guess that it doesn't matter that we didn't need 2 or 3 more plays to win this game. Like we didn't need Johnson to fumble in the red zone and have it returned but it happened and we overcome that too. Just real hard to make some of you pros happy.
Gilmore and ESPN Exaggerated Time Mgt
- Thread starter bballcat4
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I guess that it doesn't matter that we didn't need 2 or 3 more plays to win this game. Like we didn't need Johnson to fumble in the red zone and have it returned but it happened and we overcome that too. Just real hard to make some of you pros happy.
Respectfully disagree with you.
I just watched a replay of the last drive for a third time today. Stoops called TO #1 after the non horse collar call. (No wasted time in drive up to this point.) You know Gran told Johnson he had the middle of the field if the home run ball wasn't available. (Which is reason you keep 2 to's in your pocket.) UK gets first down and the clock winds from 22 seconds to 17 seconds before the play. Johnson doesn't work middle of the field but goes for it all with Baker. (TO's are saved to give you options at end of game.). Next play was pass to Badet and TO#2 was used to setup the FG. A total of 5 secs was wasted in the whole drive.
Now, think about this scenario. Johnson calls TO #2 after first down and saves the 5 secs. He hits receiver in middle of the field but out of FG range. They now have to take TO #3. Options are now limited to an out route which everyone and their mother knows is coming just to have a chance at a FG. People would be screaming if that would have happened.
Stoops has mismanaged the clock on a few occasions since being at U.K. Last night wasn't one of them. Last night was managed well with options still on the table at the end. Gilmore made his comment then the other announcer made Stoops look like a buffoon. Everyone assumed they were correct. (I did at first!) I've watched the last series three times and think they'll use it to teach how to handle similar scenarios. A total of 5 seconds was wasted in the entire drive. I give them 8 out of 10 for how it was handled. If Johnson would have 'chucked' the first down play with over 20 seconds left it would have been PERFECT execution.
Do tell... What gain would any of that be? We didn't need seven more seconds. Did not need. Didn't. Nor did we need to be closer. Not one inch.
I mean... If his strategy didn't work, I'd get saying "hey, your strategy didn't work." But saying that after it DID work is asinine at best.
We didn't need to be closer.
We didn't need more time.
The path he chose was the correct one.
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Wish a few folks would read this post twice please. The analogy is climate change ...it's real! There will always be deniers.
No kidding. Baker must have a good 4 or 5 dropped TDs in his career. A couple of them potentially game winners. Hes like the anti aaron harrison.
Climate change? We're talking about a clock situation here, Wayne. Don't go off into the weeds.
One thing about the final drive that hasn't been brought up yet.
On the play that Johnson threw long to Baker that was incomplete - the staff was losing their mind yelling for UK to snap the damn ball as time was ticking down. In my, albeit limited, coaching exp - I always tried to keep to's in my pocket until I HAD to use them. I felt like not calling it there was smart, but between the 5-7 sec they wasted presnap, coupled with the long pass play, A LOT of time went off the clock.
Luckily it worked out
On the play that Johnson threw long to Baker that was incomplete - the staff was losing their mind yelling for UK to snap the damn ball as time was ticking down. In my, albeit limited, coaching exp - I always tried to keep to's in my pocket until I HAD to use them. I felt like not calling it there was smart, but between the 5-7 sec they wasted presnap, coupled with the long pass play, A LOT of time went off the clock.
Luckily it worked out
They could've called it on the play before the deep ball to Baker, which would have left them with 1 timeout and maybe 15 seconds. That's time for 2 plays ONLY if you get out of bounds. Let's say they get the pass play that setup the field goal with 8 seconds left and no timeouts. Do you think we run a play to get 8 yards and get out of bounds? The chances of getting tackled in bounds is pretty high and with an inexperienced QB I think Stoops did the right thing. I've complained about Stoops numerous times on here, but he absolutely did the right thing. Great job by Stoops.
By not calling a TO you don't allow the defense to substitute and to discuss defending the middle of the field. The play call to go long to Baker got the defense to back off and defend the pass over the top. Doing so left the middle of the field wide open and created the easy pitch and catch to Badet that setup the winning FG. Call a TO and MSST coaches have the opportunity to relay to their defense that they needed to defend 1st...the over the top throw to the end zone and 2nd, the throw to the 35 yd line which was where we went.
When you are going fast you are basically going to get the same defensive call play after play. If you've found a weakness then you don't want to allow time for them to correct that weakness.
Yes, the conventional call would have been you use a TO but right call is the one that works ;-)
Oh yeah, just because something turns out OK does not mean it was handled well
I don't have a problem at all with the final drive...everyone's mad bc they wanted UK to do what everyone would do and expect...including an opposing defense.
I think the bad decision was going for 2 early on in the game instead of the extra point.
I think the bad decision was going for 2 early on in the game instead of the extra point.
TopCatCal - If we missed the FG I would be saying the same thing I said after the game. We lost a total of 5 seconds of clock on a series that began at the 20 or 25. That's not perfect time mgt, but it is much better than most SEC teams in the same situation.
FB coaches will tell you that timeouts are for worst case scenarios and to leave you options. (No one can predict future plays.) Worst case scenario is that Johnson completes pass in middle of the field for 8-10 yds instead of going for Baker in end zone. That would have definitely required a TO. If TO was taken after the first down play then you're sitting on only 1 TO. NOW, UK would have to complete two passes to get in FG range. Everyone and their mother knows UK's only chance at this point is to complete a 10-12 yard out route to get out of bounds. MSU would have defended that way.
Coaches are going to use law of averages. The only thing that would have made the Time Mgt absolutely perfect would have been to 'chuck' the ball on first down. Even that would have taken 2-3 seconds.
If you want to call losing 5 seconds during an entire drive bad clock management then you gotta admit you have some bias before the series even begins.
I complained about time management last year and think it was deserved. The last drive on Saturday will be used as a teaching tool for how to do it the right way. As a famous coach used to say, "the tape doesn't lie."
It was horrible clock management ! If we'd missed the 51 yard field goal everyone would of been talking about the poor clock management !! Sister Luck smiled on UK football and we made a 51 yard field goal to win!!
Sister Luck's ***. That was right down the middle.
This is ridiculous. The plan used worked to near perfection and a small number are still complaining about it. At this point, you're just whining for the sport of it. Gilmore can rot for creating this nonsense.
Not trying to be argumentative. Just asking question to better understand your position.
Are you saying losing 5 seconds during the entire drive from kickoff return to FG attempt was bad clock Mgt? Or, are you saying we lost more more than 5 seconds? The 5 seconds is proven by tape which doesn't lie. If you're saying the loss of 5 seconds during the entire drive is your complaint then I would say you have a very different opinion about clock management than most FB coaches. (Which you have every right to your opinion.)