Did anyone else think we should have gone for 2

[SCKnight]

Watching OT #1 I thought we should go for two. I figured with a true freshman QB that we might not get another shot at the win. I mean Frost went for it on 4th and 1 on his own 15 with less than 2 minutes left. The guy is a gambler. Why not go for it?

 

[UCFhonors]

Yep, I thought for sure we were going to go for 2 after the 1st TD in OT.

 

[SublimeKnight]

Given the confusion around that score, it would have been an opportune time to catch them off guard. I don't fault him for not going for it though.

If he did and it failed, we would be saying he should have just kicked it.

 

[HammerB08]

I'm sure if he had it back he'd do it. I was wondering what his thinking was considering the aggressive playcalling all day long too. First of all, the extra point kick is never a sure thing to begin with (right, Hawaii Bowl Matt Prater?). Second, if you told Frost going into that game that he'd have 1 play with the ball at the 2 yard line with a chance to win it he would've taken that. I think he had a lot of confidence in our defense making a stop and that factored in, but they were starting to show signs of wearing down near the end of the game.

 

[SCKnight]

I am not blaming him or criticizing the decision, it just surprised me given how the game was going at that time.

 

[Mikesi]

I would have just handed it off to Hamilton or a bootleg. We weren't stopping them at all at that point and our defense was tired. Hindsight is 20/20. If Frost went for it and it fails, he takes a lot of heat to go with the run call on the 11. That's 2 very risky calls.

 

[Van Gogh's Starry Knight]

That's just it: Frost goes for it and we make it, he's a genius. He goes for it and we fail, it's www.firefrost.com

 

[HammerB08]

That's just it: Frost goes for it and we make it, he's a genius. He goes for it and we fail, it's www.firefrost.com

I'm just wondering what the difference is between that and the call to go for it on 4th and 1 inside our own 20 yard line with only a couple minutes left? That was basically one play for the ball game at that moment. Maybe just didn't want to keep rolling the dice.

 

[Knight_Classes_begin_7pm]

I was surely thinking about it! Win and you're the hero, lose and you're not a good head coach

 

[ucfversusbcs]

Its confusing. He'll go for two on extra points without blinking an eye. The opportunity is treated like practice. With the announcers looking at them like theyre gassed after Maryland scored that easy TD to answer us back, you'd think this is the best time.
I guess youre asking too much after the 31 yard TD though. I guess you cant fool them once.

 

[jtGoldenKnights]

Easy to say after the fact but I agree with not going for 2. Freshmen QB in that moment would be tough. Plus the ball was being moved to the student side of the field where that would play in our favor. But will never know...

 

[Mikesi]

I'm just wondering what the difference is between that and the call to go for it on 4th and 1 inside our own 20 yard line with only a couple minutes left? That was basically one play for the ball game at that moment. Maybe just didn't want to keep rolling the dice.

If it fails, it shows too much reckless coaching. I'm actually not sure that the 4th and one was 100% a loss if it fails.

 

[UCFan9906]

I thought we'd go for 2. Defense was worn out

 

[ucfversusbcs]

If it fails, it shows too much reckless coaching. I'm actually not sure that the 4th and one was 100% a loss if it fails.

Lol so its better we lose because our defense was gassed rather than go for two.....a loss is a loss.
Like i said before, i'm sure coach was thinking you can't fool them twice.

 

[SublimeKnight]

If it fails, it shows too much reckless coaching. I'm actually not sure that the 4th and one was 100% a loss if it fails.

You're practically handing them the go-ahead-FG with 2:30 to go. We only had 1 or 2 timeouts left, so at best you're looking at driving the field with under a minute left to hit a FG and send it to OT. If it wasn't 100%, it was really close to it.

 

[UCFProf]

Okay. It's a hot, sticky night.
Your OT possession had MD's defense running all over, and you got the next possession with them exhausted.
They can bring it for defending a single, long odds go-for-2, but not a several play possession in double OT.
And THEN you go for 2 when they are really beaten down!
That's what I, and I suspect Frost, was thinking at the time.

 

[ucf_71127]

I went into OT feeling real good about our chance.
1) our D looked really good and did well in the redzone, held Maryland to many FGs
2) Our offense scored well once we got into the redzone. Our TD % was better than the national average.

I thought we held the advantage, but I certainly was considering the 2 pt conversion.

 

[Mikesi]

Lol so its better we lose because our defense was gassed rather than go for two.....a loss is a loss.
Like i said before, i'm sure coach was thinking you can't fool them twice.

That wasn't the reason that he gave on the radio today. Going for it on 4th and 1/2 had a better percentage of working and its failure did not mean we lose the game for sure.

If we fail on the 2 point conversion, the game is over. Period. At that time, it's the
best move to go for 1 point.

We just scored in OT and we were 1st and 5 on the next possession, so we were moving it as well on them. Again, Hindsight is 20/20

 

[Mikesi]

You're practically handing them the go-ahead-FG with 2:30 to go. We only had 1 or 2 timeouts left, so at best you're looking at driving the field with under a minute left to hit a FG and send it to OT. If it wasn't 100%, it was really close to it.

I'll tell you. Being at the game, it certainly felt like going for it in 4th and 1/2 yard was a good move and not going for the 2 point conversion (2 yards) had more to lose and had more risk.

Again, hindsight is 20/20

I would have went for both, but if you fail the 2 point conversion, you are crucified the next day by fans and media.

 

[Mikesi]

You're practically handing them the go-ahead-FG with 2:30 to go. We only had 1 or 2 timeouts left, so at best you're looking at driving the field with under a minute left to hit a FG and send it to OT. If it wasn't 100%, it was really close to it.

Yes, it wasn't 100%, but really close. I do agree

However, I think the 4th and 1/2 up the middle to Wilson was near 70-100 %
Similar plays really weren't stopped for a loss all night or all year.

 

[Mikesi]

Funny, you have seconds to make these decisions on a Saturday night vs hours on a Monday. AT THAT TIME, both decisions felt right and in the end today, they they seemed like sound decisions IMO.

I trust our coaches decisions, but if we were to be critical, it would be the last plays called for Milton on the last OT possession. Too much lateral movement and too much of the play was in his hands. I would have ran it 3 times on 1st and 5 or whatever it was

 

[GardenStateUCFan]

Yep, I thought for sure we were going to go for 2 after the 1st TD in OT.

Agree. We needed a 31-yard, broken-play type pass to score in the overtime. UCF was lucky to score the TD in that 1st overtime (no such luck in the 2nd overtime). But when they scored they were suddenly in a position to win it with one play from the 2-yard line. As 9-point underdogs, I thought going for it would be a good move.

 

[UCFProf]

Agree. We needed a 31-yard, broken-play type pass to score in the overtime. UCF was lucky to score the TD in that 1st overtime (no such luck in the 2nd overtime). But when they scored they were suddenly in a position to win it with one play from the 2-yard line. As 9-point underdogs, I thought going for it would be a good move.

Normally I'd agree. But for the reasons you gave, it was also vital for this young team to go for the win with strength and conditioning. And the 2nd OT effort was looking good. If the ruling had gone the other way (it could have, considering the replay and length of time to decide), the outcome might have been different.

And don't say, "well MD scored a TD afterward" because our D had to play to hold them scoreless and their offense could afford to gamble because they could go for FG. Twenty-twenty hindsight is not much value.

 

[jtGoldenKnights]

Course Frost did make a huge gamble on 4th and 1 from our own 11 with the game on the line so I could see a 2 point try for the win.

 

[SublimeKnight]

Based on the 2pt conversion attempts against SCSt, we lose no matter what.

 

[GardenStateUCFan]

Normally I'd agree. But for the reasons you gave, it was also vital for this young team to go for the win with strength and conditioning. And the 2nd OT effort was looking good. If the ruling had gone the other way (it could have, considering the replay and length of time to decide), the outcome might have been different.

And don't say, "well MD scored a TD afterward" because our D had to play to hold them scoreless and their offense could afford to gamble because they could go for FG. Twenty-twenty hindsight is not much value.

Your point about conditioning is notable, but late in the 4th it appeared that Maryland was remaining strong and UCF was fading a bit. UCF is not the only team with a strength and conditioning program. Why make the game a contest about strength, depth and conditioning, when Maryland is likely to have more quality depth?

UCF had a chance to make the game about better execution...one play to decide it.

For me, 20/20 hindsight vision has nothing to do with it. I wanted UCF to go for it when it happened. If they had tried for 2 and failed I would have applauded the decision.

As I watched the game, it looked like Maryland was becoming the stronger team at the end and I felt that going for 2 gave UCF its best chance to win. If nothing else, it would have made for an exciting moment...41,000 fans would have been on their feet.

I was thinking that the old Florida, Tim Tebow style jump pass would have done the trick.

 

[Mikesi]

Your point about conditioning is notable, but late in the 4th it appeared that Maryland was remaining strong and UCF was fading a bit. UCF is not the only team with a strength and conditioning program. Why make the game a contest about strength, depth and conditioning, when Maryland is likely to have more quality depth?

UCF had a chance to make the game about better execution...one play to decide it.

For me, 20/20 hindsight vision has nothing to do with it. I wanted UCF to go for it when it happened. If they had tried for 2 and failed I would have applauded the decision.

As I watched the game, it looked like Maryland was becoming the stronger team at the end and I felt that going for 2 gave UCF its best chance to win. If nothing else, it would have made for an exciting moment...41,000 fans would have been on their feet.

Hindsight is 20/20, because we didn't go for it and we lost. So we should have. We could have just as easily won and then that decision wouldn't have looked like a good one at all.

We had the ball 1st and 5 on the 5 at home and just scored pretty easily.

How many home teams go for 2 on their first OT possession after they just scored a TD?

The answer is about never. Especially when the teams were so evenly matched.

Nice to hear that you would have applauded the decision to go for 2
points if it failed. Lots riding for you and your team on these decisions.

 

[GardenStateUCFan]

Hindsight is 20/20, because we didn't go for it and we lost. So we should have. We could have just as easily won and then that decision wouldn't have looked like a good one at all.

We had the ball 1st and 5 on the 5 at home and just scored pretty easily.

How many home teams go for 2 on their first OT possession after they just scored a TD?

The answer is about never. Especially when the teams were so evenly matched.

Nice to hear that you would have applauded the decision to go for 2
points if it failed. Lots riding for you and your team on these decisions.

Like I said, 20/20 hindsight has nothing to do with my opinion. I was hoping UCF would go for 2 when it happened.

I know that my opinion is not the only one. I respect your opinion and yours agrees with the UCF coaching staff. Your opinion is certainly a valid one. Going for 2 or not...Is there ever a definitive correct answer? I don't think so.

Regardless, last Saturday UCF played even with a good FBS football team and it gives me hope that UCF can win their AAC division this year! UCF's loss to Maryland has no more affect on their chances to make it to their conference championship game than Iowa's loss to North Dakota State.

South Florida, East Carolina, and Cincinnati are tough teams, but no better than Maryland IMO. I think Maryland is going to surprise and impress the CF pundits this year. UCF just needs to focus on getting better and they should be able to compete with every team in their division.

It's time to Charge On!

 

[SublimeKnight]

Hindsight is 20/20, because we didn't go for it and we lost. So we should have.

Because we lost that 2nd OT on Saturday, doesn't mean that if we played that 2nd OT 100 times, Maryland would win 100 times. Even in hindsight, you can't say with any degree of certainty that the odds were higher in our favor going for 2 vs playing the 2nd OT.

In fact, who knows what the 2pt play call would be? We went for 2 against SCSt twice and failed horribly both times.

 

[UCF.Citronauts]

I thought Frost would go for 2 there, and I was actually really surprised that he didn't, as much as he talks about going for 2 and going for it on 4th down. Against a bigger stronger team (Frost alluded to them being bigger and stronger and deeper in a radio interview the week of the game), that was a chance to steal a win. UCF's defense was starting to tire, it was obvious. Maryland was getting their ground game going. Yes, the risk is greater than going for it on 4th down earlier -- you don't convert the 2 and you lose the game -- but the reward is also greater -- you make it and you win and go home. I don't think he would have been criticized much for going for it and failing. It would have fit right in with the change in culture that he's implementing, and statistically going for 2 is not as big of a gamble as it used to be. You can't tell me in his 1,000 plays in the Oregon/UCF playbook, there isn't a killer 2-point conversion play. I don't think he made a bad coaching decision, but I'm surprised he didn't go for it, and I think he should have.

 

[GardenStateUCFan]

I thought Frost would go for 2 there, and I was actually really surprised that he didn't, as much as he talks about going for 2 and going for it on 4th down. Against a bigger stronger team (Frost alluded to them being bigger and stronger and deeper in a radio interview the week of the game), that was a chance to steal a win. UCF's defense was starting to tire, it was obvious. Maryland was getting their ground game going. Yes, the risk is greater than going for it on 4th down earlier -- you don't convert the 2 and you lose the game -- but the reward is also greater -- you make it and you win and go home. I don't think he would have been criticized much for going for it and failing. It would have fit right in with the change in culture that he's implementing, and statistically going for 2 is not as big of a gamble as it used to be. You can't tell me in his 1,000 plays in the Oregon/UCF playbook, there isn't a killer 2-point conversion play. I don't think he made a bad coaching decision, but I'm surprised he didn't go for it, and I think he should have.

Agree. Yes, SF did indicate that Maryland was a bigger, stronger, & deeper team than UCF.

IMO, you can never fault a coach for demonstrating some killer instinct.

SF had the opportunity to go for the knock-out punch late in the 15th round from the 2 yard line against the 9-point favorite. I was surprised he didn't try it. Seemed a bit out of character for the new, bold, exciting, go for broke, UCFast football culture he has been promoting.

I'll bet Durkin was glad he didn't try it. I think it would have made him quite nervous. I'll bet he would have called a time out...maybe 2 or 3.

Durkin before the play = - offense has an advantage because they know what they are going to do.

Durkin as the play unfolds = - the team that executes the best on that one play wins the game. It is a shot at the buzzer type deal. It happens all the time in basketball, so why fear putting your team in that that situation in football? What would the UCF players want to do in that situation? Would the offense be thrilled to go for it? Would the tiring UCF defense be happy to let the offense decide it? I can't say.

Durkin after the play is over = or - we'll never know.

I suppose many UCF fans would have been critical if SF had decided to go for it and failed. I don't happen to be one of them. If he had decided to go for the final knock-out punch I would have seen plenty of merit in that. In sports, killer instinct is OK with me.

One can certainly find no fault in playing it out as they did. But as the overtimes accumulate, doesn't it become mandatory to go for 2?

 

[Knight_Light]

UCF''s D was gasseD in OT (believe all 6 Maryland plays in OT were QB runs) while UCF's middle 3 on the OL were gassed and had very little left.

I'm sure Frost had little confidence in the D after the 1st easy Maryland TD so it was a little shocking that he didn't use Milton on a rollout for 2 and the win when he had the chance.

 

[goodknightfl]

I listened to the game on Radio, that was my first thought. Defense was gassed.. But couldn't blame him either way.

 

[Mikesi]

You people are all so funny.

If Frost goes for 2 and Milton fumbles the snap, after we just score and we lose you guys are all over him on Sunday/Monday morning.

"Another turnover by the freshman that Frost named to start!
"He didn't give our team a chance to win at home!"

"You never go for 2 at home!"

"Another reckless and risky play after the 4th and 1 on the 11!"

Blah, blah, blah blah, blah blah, blah blah.

5 posts on how Frost sucks and questioning his coaching ability.

If we win in OT coventionally, there's not one post on how he should have went for 2 on any of the OT possessions.

If that isn't hindsight is 20/20, then I don't know what is.

I didn't hear anyone in my section yelling "Go for 2!" If they did, they were darn quiet about it.

 

[GardenStateUCFan]

Y

If Frost goes for 2 and Milton fumbles the snap, after we just score and we lose you guys are all over him on Sunday/Monday morning. "Another turnover by the freshman that Frost named to start!
"He didn't give our team a chance to win at home!"
.

I don't know if you noticed, but Milton did fumble in overtime and Maryland recovered the ball....and nobody complained about it.

If you let Milton end the game with a 2-point try in the 1st overtime, it gives him fewer chances to fumble.

Regardless

The Knights are gonna Rise & Conquer!

The Knights are gonna Rise and Conquer!

The Knights are gonna Rise & Conquer!

UCFast! UCFierce!

RAH! RAH! RAH!