YO, ROCKEY, GO FOR IT</p>
One of the biggest mysteries in college football last weekend was why Mississippi State coach Rockey Felker didn't go for a two-point conversion against Auburn when his team had pulled to within 17-16 on David Fair's two-yard touchdown run with 2:33 to go. Instead, State's kick was blocked by Auburn's Darrel Crawford, enabling the Tigers to get out of Starkville with a 6-0-1 record and their Sugar Bowl hopes intact. </p>
When asked about his decision, Felker came up with the usual stuff about plenty of time being left on the clock for another score and about his team playing so hard that it didn't deserve to lose. Blah, blah, blah. It sounded like a replay of Auburn coach Pat Dye's excuses after settling for a 26-26 tie with Tennessee on Sept. 29 instead of going for two points and the win.</p>
But Felker's decision was more difficult to justify than Dye's. The 3-4 Bulldogs don't have to worry about polls and bowls, as Dye did. So why not go for it? What's to lose except just another game? A victory, conversely, would have salvaged the season, provided the Bulldog program with some recruiting clout and given the seniors something to brag about for the rest of their lives. And, finally, what were the odds against Mississippi State getting the ball back and picking up enough yardage against Auburn's potent defense for a field goal attempt? Higher, surely, than the Bulldogs' chances of converting a two-pointer.</p>
At least Felker was right about one thing: His players came up with a winning effort, especially linebacker Reggie Stewart, who had 16 solo tackles and 10 assists. The Bulldogs were that close to pulling off something straight out of a Hollywood movie. Uh, Coach Felker, you have seen Rocky, haven't you?</p>