Why does it seem like the Hornets purposely try to discover new and improved ways to lose games?
SUU couldn't move he ball to save their lives the entire 2nd half, but as soon as it was final drive time from their own 2 - suddenly the Hornets decided to let them go the length of the field in about a minute of game time with a myriad of brain dead plays and officiating that doesn't deserve the word 'poor' to describe it because it was far worse than that.
First, what is wrong with the Hornets players? How about winning some games and making the playoffs on a consistent basis before you start celebrating individual plays? But once you get called for some big penalties doing it, how about using that lump three feet above your ass not to make the same mistake again? Just plain ignorant. If the Hornets coaching staff would actually reprimand and bench players for acting so stupidly, perhaps their players wouldn't be so damn undisciplined.
Secondly, how the heck do you fall for a halfback toss pass from the oppositions end zone when it's obvious they are desperate to move the ball? Why on earth would you sell out on the run when they are 98-yards from the endzone, there's less than 5 minutes to play and you have an 8-point lead? You WANT them to run the ball. Play the pass and let them have 6 or 7 yards. Who cares? Unbelievable.
Thirdly, the hands to the face call that negated the first INT was a good call. I have no problem with it other than the fact that the Hornets defender was undisciplined enough to do it. He took the linemans helmet off and it was obvious. The personal foul hit on the QB that negated the 100-yard INT return, however, was an absolutely unforgivably ridiculous call by the official. Unless it is egregiously obvious, you don't make that call in that situation, especially when the QB was out of the pocket and running to the sideline. Not only that, the Hornets defender didn't hit late nor did he hit above the shoulders. That call cost the Hornets a win, despite everything else they did to lose the game.
Fourthly, the catch on the 2-pt conversion appeared to be a good and bad call at the same time. The offensive player CAN come back from being out of bounds to catch the ball as long as he isn't the first to touch the ball, which he was not. However, it appeared to me that he was still touching out of bounds when he first caught the ball, making it a bad call if that was the case. I didn't see a clear replay, so I'm not certain. Regardless, the way that drive was going with all the braindead plays and poor calls, you just knew they were going to make that 2-pt play no matter what. It really seemed inevitable.
Fifthly, I fail to understand why the BSC, or the FCS in general, doesn't have instant replay rules like everyone else does. If it's budgetary reasons, then at least have it for scoring plays or end of game situations. You can't allow games to be decided like that without verifying.
Lastly, I take issue with any team that takes a knee at the end of a tie game like the Hornets did tonight. I just don't understand the reasoning. You've got possession of the ball with over 30 seconds to go and a few timeouts in your pocket. You don't win games by curling up into a ball and playing not to lose. You have to risk trying to make plays and trust that you won't turn the ball over. Going to overtime is a risk in itself. Why not take the risk when you've got the ball and destiny in your hands? If you complete a couple passes and/or get the benefit of a defensive penalty or two, you get a shot at winning the game outright without the opposition getting another shot. Sure, if you turn the ball over, you could lose the game outright. But the same thing could happen in OT or at any other point in the game.
In the end, this was another horrible loss for Sac State and, honestly, completely avoidable. Worst part is, this wasn't some first time fluke occurrence. It's become a trend under Marshall Sperbeck. His teams have consistently proven to be undisciplined, all while lacking football smarts at the most crucial points in games. That is a direct reflection of the head coach, his staff and how they discipline and prepare their players.
