Punters, did you see this winning play from UCLA?

I just happened to be watching the tail end of the Penn State vs. UCLA game this weekend. Penn State was highly ranked and UCLA was 0-4. The Bruins rallied to take the lead late in the game 42-37 with just a little over a minute to go in the game. Their offense ran the ball three times for no yards and took very little time off the clock (State had all 3 time outs).

So on 4th down (on their own 11, the punting unit came on for UCLA and the colorman, Gary Danielson, correctly surmised that UCLA should take a safety to burn more time off the clock. With just 25 seconds to go in the game, Will Karol (an Aussie who may not have even known about taking safeties) executed a "stall play". Typically, you can steal about 5 seconds off the clock — the punter takes 8 seconds off the clock! Apparently, Penn State didn't get the memo. 😜

Catch the snap.
Run to the corner of the end zone and wait.
Don't let anyone get close enough to even touch you.
Step out of the end zone.
Take the safety, give the other team 2 points
Free kick — kick off (or punt) from your own 20 with no chance for a blocked kick.
Let your defense take care of business with very little time left on the clock.
Win the game.*

*Of course, it could go wrong, one big pass play and Penn State kicks a long FG for the tie and a chance for an OT win. Or, worse yet, a miracle TD to win the game with just 15 seconds left. But odds are what they are, and coaches are typically best to play them.

You just need to do your part.

0:36

2 comments