# The punt at the end of the Florida game **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 11, 2012, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662 "2012-11-11T06:11:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/1 "2012-11-11T06:11:13Z")
Could the ULL punter have taken the snap a run around like decapitated poultry until time expired? ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/2 "2012-11-11T06:24:36Z")
How much clock was there, how much were they leading by, and where on the field were they? If they were up 11 or more and they just wanted to run the clock out from 15 seconds from their opponent’s 40, say, the kicker could have just run all the way back and taken an intentional safety. But yes, theoretically, the kicker can waste as much time as he can run for. Practically, that’s not much, not in today’s game. The players are just too quick to let him go for too long. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/3 "2012-11-11T06:41:39Z")
It was tied w/8 seconds left, about their own 35. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/4 "2012-11-11T07:06:38Z")
If he missed, by even one second, the opponent would be in field goal range. Or, are you asking if we think; could a kicker last 8 seconds? ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/5 "2012-11-11T07:10:41Z")
Could he kill the whole 8 seconds? ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/6 "2012-11-11T07:47:55Z")
I have no stats for saying this, but based on 25 years of being associated with football, I would expect a good athlete to maybe reliably make it 3-4 seconds with 6 being a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/7 "2012-11-11T09:58:26Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > I would expect a good athlete to maybe reliably make it 3-4 seconds with 6 being a lot. And we’re talking about a punter here, not a RB or WR. Those guys don’t practice running around holding on to a football a whole lot. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/8 "2012-11-11T16:56:53Z")
The average pass play lasts 7 or 8 seconds. Give the quarterback a pocket, let him stand in it for 3 seconds, and then throw a deep ball. Game over. A bit risky, but not any riskier than a punt at that point. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/9 "2012-11-11T18:06:37Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > The average pass play lasts 7 or 8 seconds. Give the quarterback a pocket, let him stand in it for 3 seconds, and then throw a deep ball. Game over. > > A bit risky, but not any riskier than a punt at that point. I don’t like that play. What about an interception and a runback for a TD? Throw the ball away from any potential receiver and get called for intentional grounding. The game can’t end on a penalty. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/10 "2012-11-11T18:47:36Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > I don’t like that play. What about an interception and a runback for a TD? Throw the ball away from any potential receiver and get called for intentional grounding. The game can’t end on a penalty. Or blown pass protection leading to either a sack or an incomplete pass before the clock runs out… Just punt the ball. If you can’t cover a punt or prevent your opponent from scoring on one offensive play, you’ve got big problems. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/11 "2012-11-11T18:52:24Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > I don’t like that play. What about an interception and a runback for a TD? Throw the ball away from any potential receiver and get called for intentional grounding. The game can’t end on a penalty. If you overthrow your guy, the chances are extremely slim that either will happen. A sack is by far the biggest risk in that scenario. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/12 "2012-11-11T18:53:48Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > Or blown pass protection leading to either a sack or an incomplete pass before the clock runs out… > > Just punt the ball. If you can’t cover a punt or prevent your opponent from scoring on one offensive play, you’ve got big problems. You’re ULL playing Florida. Of course you have problems, you’re severely outmanned. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/13 "2012-11-11T19:26:39Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > Throw the ball away from any potential receiver and get called for intentional grounding. Doesn’t Florida thus end up with the ball on the 25-yard line (due to penalty = 10 yards + loss of a down) and allowed to run one play (FG attempt)? ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/14 "2012-11-11T19:52:44Z")
Yes, which is why you wouldn’t ground the ball in that situation. Send 2 receivers on a go route. Tell your QB to hold the ball as long as possible, but don’t take the sack. He won’t have to wait for a receiver to come open. ---
**Author:** ![Intelligently\_Designed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intelligently_designed/32/20957_2.png) [@Intelligently\_Designed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intelligently_Designed)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/15 "2012-11-11T23:03:17Z")
Actually, there were 13 seconds left in regulation time, and the ULL punter was close to his own 20 yard line ([1:32 of this video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_N1t0xpGRI)). There was really no other option than to punt the ball. Or maybe, in a stretch, waste the most time possible before throwing a pass. Florida would then have had to settle for a 51-yard or so field goal attempt if it went incomplete. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/16 "2012-11-11T23:09:24Z")
Thanks **ID** for reminding me the time/yard sitch. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/17 "2012-11-12T01:53:20Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > If you overthrow your guy, the chances are extremely slim that either will happen. > > A sack is by far the biggest risk in that scenario. I’m no defensive coordinator but don’t you think that in that situation the linebackers will be blitzing while they will have a deep man that just follows the ball? And also, the scenario that one of these monster defenders will tip or knock down a pass attempt. Passes that are tipped can convert to a touchdown very easily. > [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Yes, which is why you wouldn’t ground the ball in that situation. Send 2 receivers on a go route. Tell your QB to hold the ball as long as possible, but don’t take the sack. He won’t have to wait for a receiver to come open. Above. It’s too dangerous, not to mention the possibility of the ball being fumbled. Again, the defense is going to have a deep man and the rushing defenders are going to try to strip the ball. The QB is in the pocket so an intentional grounding is one of the worst things that could happen. > [@Intelligently\_Designed](#): > > Actually, there were 13 seconds left in regulation time, and the ULL punter was close to his own 20 yard line ([1:32 of this video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_N1t0xpGRI)). There was really no other option than to punt the ball. Or maybe, in a stretch, waste the most time possible before throwing a pass. Florida would then have had to settle for a 51-yard or so field goal attempt if it went incomplete. I didn’t see the game but from what I’ve read the criticism is that the coach went conservative on the last possession. There were three running plays that set up the punt. There was time to attempt to advance the ball for a possible win. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/18 "2012-11-12T02:06:25Z")
Disagree on almost every point. Who cares if they send a man to cover the deep ball? You don’t need to complete the pass. You don’t tip a deep ball, as they’re basically thrown straight up in the air. Not even a possibility. Again, the major concern is a sack, but that is greatly minimized by the fact that you don’t need to complete the pass. You could also possibly buy time by rolling the QB out. And how is there a greater chance of a fumble on a pass play than there is with the friggin long snapper on the field? That makes no sense at all. ETA: 13 seconds is obviously too much time for the scenario I was talking about. It would only work with less than 8 or 9 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/19 "2012-11-12T05:07:00Z")
I remember one BCS Championship game where, I think it was LSU had the ball in their own territory and were up by one score, 4th down and 9 seconds left. They went for the punt, opponents rushed everyone, didn’t get the block, the clock ran out and LSU won. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. If it works, he’s a genius; if it doesn’t, he’s a goat. That’s sports. I just watched the clip, and it really looks to me like Lafayette took the best option and got unlucky. As already mentioned, there’s no way in hell the punter could’ve scrambled for 13 seconds, and the deep ball carried its own hazards. The only real alternative (since they’re just trying to kill the clock and send it to overtime) would’ve been some kind of high percentage short yardage pass, but very few coaches would have the guts to call this on 4th and 3 on their own 34. (Barry Switzer, who commanded an overwhelmingly dominant Dallas Cowboys offense, once got absolutely reamed for going for it in his own territory, and that was 4th and _inches_.) Oh, and etv78, there’s a reason why cute-sounding stuff like “running around like a decapitated poultry” does find general acceptance in football. Go look up “fumblerooski” sometime. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662/20 "2012-11-12T05:21:51Z")
The scenario with the quarterback running around and then heaving the ball downfield sounds extremely similar to punt, just without the right protection scheme and players on the field who know how to cover a punt. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-punt-at-the-end-of-the-florida-game/640662.md?page=2)