This game had everything... as in everything you didn't think you'd see a team trying to win do.
Montana St was up 28-14 to start the fourth. Apparently they were scoring fast while Illinois St was plodding along. Somehow, they get two miraculous scores, then have fourth and 1 with about 90 seconds left... but a field goal kicker who is suspect. In fairness to the kicker, the snap was bad, likely throwing off his rhythm... but he gets the kick off. Unfortunately for I St, an unblocked edge blocked the kick, causing the QB to scream on camera "Fk'ing go for it!"
M St then goes all the way down the field to get into field goal range for their own chance to kick for the win. But instead of running the ball to get a bit closer, the QB drops back to pass and is sacked. Then I think they picked up their nineth illegal procedure call because they depended on a hand slap count the line couldn't hear. Then a bad snap causes them to lose about 20 yards. We have OT.
I St has the call. They say heads heads heads heads as the coin is flipped. It's tails. M St elects to start on defense. That kid Dylan Lord makes another spectacular catch and score. I St goes to kick the XP but the holder fumbles it, rights it, but the kick is again blocked. M St picks up the ball and might have scored 2 on the return, but an I St kid just grabs his facemask to stop him. So what. At least he kept him from scoring. There have to be more severe consequences than simply enforcing the penalty on the next possession.
Despite better starting field position, M St ends up with 4th and 14 on the 19. Each team calls its last timeout. M St throws long to the endzone, not just to get a first down. Success. They make the XP. National champs!
- Jeff |
