Why You Don't Quit a Play ...

[Cane from the Bend]

UCF vs Houston

UCF was up in the 4th quarter, 17-6

Houston, drives down the field with 1/8th of the game left, scores a 53 yard field goal, making it 17-9.

UCF, nothing, drive ends, punt.

Houston, starts their push down the field again. A sack becomes their enemy, and time rolls. A few well executed plays, they find the red zone, but get stalled as the qb tries to escape pressure -- slips & falls at for a 16 yard loss; kick another field goal ... UFC now up just 17-12.

UCF, again, nothing ... punt.

Houston, under a minute to go. Starts to move the ball, getting to mid field. Another sack, 5th of the night for UCF. Houston now in a dash, gets the first down -- two plays, looking down the pressure, pass to the 3 yard line misses -- pass interference, ball inside the 20 -- the Cougars are in good shape with 56 seconds left ... and scramble to the 5 yard line -- holding penalty ... backed up beyond the 20.

And then, the play that would seal the game.

QB drops back, defense is in coverage -- first down is at the 5 yard line -- no one is open; from the 25 yard line, scrambles -- 15 yard line runs by the defenders, the secondary is closing, qb dashing to the sideline, at the 3 yard line slips one tackler, enter the last man attempting to make the stop, qb stretching the ball to the goal, ball extends, a whistle is blown.

What it looked like in real time ... Either the qb scored or he stepped out of bounds at the 3. The commentators say well this play will obviously be reviewed to make certain the call is precisely right.

The on spot officials marked his progress to the 3, hold a short conference, then the signal of a touch back is declared.

The replay, call confirmed.

Houston's qb scrambled 20+ yards to the 3, as he lunged forward stretching the ball out, the last defender was just able to come in from the side and grab his elbow, causing the ball to spin out of his hand inches before it broke the plane.

Another angle would show clear space between the quarterback's hands and the ball, as it soured through the endzone and out of bounds ... with 44 seconds left, UCF would get the ball back at the 20 with a 17-12 lead.

The last defender made a game saving play. Reaching for all he was worth, and causing a fumble that would result in a Touch Back.

As a defender ... the play is only failed, when you give up on it.

What an amazing ending.

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[WoVeU]

A very tough way to lose a game! It seems like we see this a lot now, players stretching out to break the plane of the end zone, I'm a little surprised this doesn't happen more often.

Thanks for the recap, I was dragging tail last night and didn't see then end of this game. And didn't see 1 play from the Zona - Oregon game!

[Cane from the Bend]

Coincidentally, there was a very similar occurrence with Arizona/Oregon.

Oregon made it to the end zone, two Arizona players were there to make the stop, the ball popped free and Arizona jumped on it ... the refs called it a touchdown.

They reviewed it, and the play stood as they called it --- But, from the replay, it sure didn't look like he had possession when he crossed the line.

That play was early in the game, and essentially did not effect the outcome, since Arizona won.

The difference in the UCF/Houston game, is that they reviewed the play, and the play was confirmed. There was no doubt that refs had made the right call on the field.

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[WoVeU]

Huh...figures. I think this a byproduct of the spread offenses, many teams lack the muscle to push the ball in from the 2 on a regular basis.