Here is another example of coaches not understanding proper strategy and making moves that hurt their chances of winning. I have said for years that if I was a coach, every kickoff would be a deep squib kick and every punt would be 35-40 yards and high, forcing a fair catch, or out of bounds. I would not let a big-play return beat me. This is even more critical when the opponent’s offense is going nowhere, and a return can give the other team momentum and change the game.
Louisville played Florida in the Sugar Bowl. Louisville was ranked 21st, and Florida 3rd. With 7:54 left in the fourth quarter, Louisville kicked a field goal to take a 33-10 lead. This is a 3-score lead, with only half a quarter to play. At this point, the only thing that could hurt Louisville was a quick score on a big play. In addition, Florida was the best 4th-quarter team in the country, having the largest point differential, so they needed to be aware of this. So, Louisville was playing one of the top three teams in the country and the best 4th-quarter team in the country, and had the game in control. What does the Louisville coach do? He kicks off normally, and the Florida returner returns it 100 yards for a touchdown, with 7:41 to play. It is now a 2-score game, almost no time ran off the clock, and the momentum of the game changed. Florida held Louisville, got the ball back, and scored a touchdown to make the score 33-23. They went for 2 points, and had they gotten it (they didn’t), it would have been a one-score game with 2:13 to play and the chance of an onside-kick recovery. The Louisville coach took a game that was basically won and put it in jeopardy. AND, I am sure no one even realizes this.