Second to last play...

[Cloud_a_Heart]

You kick that much deeper and even out of bounds.... IF bama recovers, they have a chance to go Hail Mary and win 37-35.

But I know hypotheticals shouldn't be brought up.

 

[TruHusker]

I am not sure Clemson intended to recover the ball. All they wanted was a touch by a tide player anywhere, hopefully on the ground and the games over. Clemson didnt want anything out of bounds to not run the clock.

 

[Hoosker Du]

I am not sure Clemson intended to recover the ball. All they wanted was a touch by a tide player anywhere, hopefully on the ground and the games over. Clemson didnt want anything out of bounds to not run the clock.

My concern would be that there would be a 'long' second on the clock, and Bama just falls on the ball, still leaving fractions of a second left to run a Hail Mary.

 

[saluno22]

My concern would be that there would be a 'long' second on the clock, and Bama just falls on the ball, still leaving fractions of a second left to run a Hail Mary.

Like this?


I believe after this game, the NCAA changed the clock operator requirements to be a conference/NCAA official rather than a school official.

 

[chicolby]

I am not sure Clemson intended to recover the ball. All they wanted was a touch by a tide player anywhere, hopefully on the ground and the games over. Clemson didnt want anything out of bounds to not run the clock.

If Bama recovered on the ground, then no time comes off the clock. I agree with the original poster that it could have resulted in a hail mary pass. Of course, there are always long shot chances on a squib, a long kick, etc. etc. In a way, the onside kick probably caught them off guard more than anything else, which also led to them recovering. The real risk, in my opinion is if Clemson had touched the ball before it traveled 10 yards, but I have to think they've coached that situation. That would have been questioned for years to come if a player had touched it before 10 yards, in essence resulting in a dead ball and Bama taking over on say the 43 yard line with a reasonable chance for a late TD.

 

[jpile01]

Why did Clemson kick the PAT, why not snap the ball & step back let the 1 sec run? No reason to do the PAT or kick off, this could have been a big blunder?

 

[grayhairedfreak]

Why did Clemson kick the PAT, why not snap the ball & step back let the 1 sec run? No reason to do the PAT or kick off, this could have been a big blunder?

I believe all extra point conversions are dead ball plays, but I may be wrong.

 

[PeliniTheCrutch_rivals294365]

I believe all extra point conversions are dead ball plays, but I may be wrong.

Yes, they are untimed downs.

 

[skintight]

as it turned out the onside kick was a stroke of genius. Not sure that i would have risked it though. as many have mentioned before that if bama falls on the kick then the clock doesnt start due to the recieving player being down. also had clemson inadvertantly touched the ballide kick was genius prior to 10 yards equals dead ball. both scenarios leave open a chance at a hail mary in the end zone. However, execution trumps all ---the onside kick was genius