Inside the Weirdest Play of the Season

[SlickRick]

All that is well and good, but it still doesn't explain or justify throwing the ball out of bounds on 3rd and 2. We could have made 2 yards in 2 plays running the ball, or, at worst, Levi stays in bounds & makes them use their last time out.

That's a different play....this is about the 4th down decision.

[SlickRick]

Coach has admitted he should have told Levi to not throw it away if the first pass option was not open. He owned his mistake. I respect him for doing so.

...or, he protected Levi from being criticized for making a bad decision. Either way, I respect him for that too.

[Frenchie35]

...or, he protected Levi from being criticized for making a bad decision. Either way, I respect him for that too.

Nap didn't tell Levi to through the ball out of bounds if he didn't have a receiver open. If he did it is the most bizarre call ever called. Levi wasn't smart on that play.

[CajunVic]

Suppose the discussion before 3rd and 4th down was that we have 2 plays to make 2 yards and the decision to take a safety was not made until after the third down play? Then, throwing the ball away to keep the yardage needed for a 1st down at 2 yds was the correct play.

[Turbine]

Suppose the discussion before 3rd and 4th down was that we have 2 plays to make 2 yards and the decision to take a safety was not made until after the third down play? Then, throwing the ball away to keep the yardage needed for a 1st down at 2 yds was the correct play.

Your scenario suggests that Levi "knew" UL was going for it on fourth down. Then the staff changed their minds.

[CajunVic]

Your scenario suggests that Levi "knew" UL was going for it on fourth down. Then the staff changed their minds.

I have not seen anything yet which rules out this scenario.

[Turbine]

I have not seen anything yet which rules out this scenario.

If you KNOW you will use two plays to gain two yards, the highest percentage positive yardage play is a run.

[CajunVic]

If you KNOW you will use two plays to gain two yards, the highest percentage positive yardage play is a run.

Our coach has been known to utilize the element of surprise in scenarios like this and hope that the surprise has a higher percentage of success when the other side would suspect you would go with the percentages.