FanPost

A few of you MAY owe Mario Cristobal 1) an apology for some of the things you were saying about him in the game thread

and 2) possibly a great deal of thanks

Granted, he definitely didn't single handedly hand us the game, but he did effectively leave some points on the field and his team made another decision that likely cost them the game. I'd almost go so far as to say he probably effectively handed that game to us on a silver platter.

I was re-watching the 2nd half of the game because I missed the early part of it taking my daughters to dinner - and I wanted to see how spectacular the Andrell Smith catch was ( wasn't disappointed) - and made a couple of observations.

I know at least one of the times FIU went for it on 4th and short, he essentially left some points on the field (unless their FG kicker is complete crap, it would have been a chip shot). Don't remember if they were within FG range on the first one or not - most likely not though. Anyway, going for it on 4th and inches isn't a big deal at all, but from a shotgun? CRAZY - as noted by the "Joker" from BBN! That was a big stop by our D and a big swing in the momentum in my opinion too. Had they taken the three points, they could have won two in a row against us. I would have likely gone for it on 4th and inches too, especially since they were running so well on us, but definitely wouldn't have done so from a shotgun formation.

Another bad choice that gave us a HUGE cushion was the roughing the kicker automatic first down... Granted he wasn't the player who committed the foul and that defender very nearly blocked that kick, but WHY risk it when the game's on the line with little time remaining when you're only down one possession and are likely going to get extremely good field position anyway.

Hind-site is 20/20 and I'm a coach and admittedly have less than stellar football IQ - especially compared to someone who makes a living coaching at that level - but these were two plays that if Coach Cristobal could take back, I'm sure he would. If they take those three points, there's no guarantee they would have scored by not getting the roughing the kicker call. If they did take the three that they left on the field by the turnover on downs and just received the punt late in the fourth, they'd be playing for a score to win vs a score to tie.

Thanks Mario... That's my take.