Louisiana head coach Billy Napier raised plenty of eyebrows Friday night time when he determined to take a security from his crew’s personal 35-yard-line with a five-point lead late within the fourth quarter towards Appalachian State.
When requested in regards to the choice after the Ragin’ Cajuns held on for a 24-21 win, Napier defended it, saying, “What would you do? You wish to run the snapper and the punter again on the market and see if you are able to do that?”
Main as much as Napier’s choice, Louisiana had three dangerous snaps from lengthy snapper Paul Boudreaux.
“I imply we might do this if you would like,” Napier stated. “However we felt like the very best alternative to win was to take a security there and ensure we did not surrender a foul play.”
Dealing with a fourth-and-2 with 1:51 left, Napier despatched quarterback Levi Lewis scrambling to the again of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ finish zone, burning the clock till a Mountaineers defender chased him out of bounds with 1:46 left.
On the following free kick from the Louisiana 20-yard line, Appalachian State’s Malik Williams returned the ball to the Mountaineers’ 45. 9 performs later, Appalachian State tried a 30-yard subject purpose with 5 seconds left, however the Ragin’ Cajuns tipped it, forcing the miss to seal the win.
Napier stated Louisiana thought of going for it on fourth down however determined towards it.
“We felt like we might flip the sector possibly and get 25 or 30 extra yards given the time,” he stated. “We tried to win the sport on third down, we threw the ball and tried to win the sport. They’d a timeout of their pocket, so we felt if we might money it in and win the sport on third down, the sport could be over, so we did that.
“After which we had already made the choice that if we bought to fourth and we weren’t going to go for it we’d take the security.”
Napier additionally stated that punting was out of the query for Louisiana at that time.
“We had had points not solely snapping the ball, however the punts weren’t nice,” he stated. “With the returner they do have, we’re about the identical subject place. For those who return, and let’s simply say we internet 35 yards on the punt, then the place do they get the ball? In regards to the 40-yard line, 45-yard line, proper? So we took the security, after which we kicked the ball off and we burned extra time, they usually bought the ball at about the identical place.
“I feel the risk-reward was one which we made the appropriate choice.”
