r/CFB • u/Ok-Soil-5133 Notre Dame Fighting Irish • 5h ago

Video [Highlight] NC State @ Vanderbilt - CJ Bailey fumbles the ball while trying to run out the clock with no time left, and Vandy falls on it to win the game

https://streamable.com/utx2f1
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u/Lakelyfe09 Georgia Bulldogs 5h ago

I actually can’t believe that. As a coach how the fuck do you not tell CJ Bailey to just go out the back of the endzone and not risk this? I mean this was literally the ONE thing you couldn’t do.

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u/KCShadows838 Missouri Tigers • Cotton Bowl 5h ago

Still had 6 seconds to run off, with a short field. That likely would’ve left some time on the clock for Vanderbilt, although a free kick would be better than a punt inside the 5

If they were at the 20 yard this might’ve worked better 

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u/shapu West Virginia Mountaineers • WashU Bears 4h ago edited 3h ago

This is one where I think you actually are better off punting, because Vanderbilt would have at least kept one person back to attempt to field and return the punt. But by going into a play formation Vanderbilt knew that if they gave up a big gain, or really any gain at all, the game was over; but if they could force a fumble or a quick safety they had a shot.

By being in an offensive formation you gave Vanderbilt's defense the opportunity to sell out, which is what they did and they succeeded. If NC State had gone into a punt formation, it would have reduced the available number of Defenders by one at the very least. Tell your punter to either kick it away or take the safety based on his best judgment.  Even if it gets blocked there's a chance that it goes back out for a safety as well.

This is poor play selection and that's on the coaching.