Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesFootball math is not difficult, my friends. Probability is not hard, either.
I’m going to give you two scenarios—while trailing 17-10 with five minutes left, facing a 4th-and-goal at the 1-yard line—and pick which one is most sensible.
Option A: Kick a field goal. If it works, you need a touchdown to win. If it doesn’t work, you need a touchdown to win.
Option B: Try to score on fourth down. If it works, you’re an extra point from trying the game or a two-point conversion from a lead. If it doesn’t work, it’s a turnover on downs and you a need touchdown to win.
Why did you hate math, Pat Narduzzi?
Likely because Penn State had stopped Pitt on three straight goal-line plays, he sent out the kicker. Hindsight throws a nasty dagger at Pitt; Alex Kessman missed the 19-yard kick. Pitt ultimately lost 17-10 after a last-second pass dropped incomplete in the end zone.
Narduzzi defended the blunder, saying “you need two scores to win the football game.” Which, just, ugh.
They needed a touchdown. And were a yard from the end zone. And decided to kick a field goal, so they’d still need a touchdown anyway.
Source : Bleacher Report