I just watched the last 2 minutes of the national championship more because I wanted to see if Mario ended up not having a headset for the rest of the game after his sideline temper tantrum.

He did end up getting it back up and working but I noticed something else. Miami was moving the ball well, Indiana was lost/unorganized and got called for a really dumb roughing the passer penalty. Miami got down to the IU 45 or so and had all the momentum. I was thinking crap Miami's gonna pull this out and win the natty even with Mario!

That's when Cignetti called a timeout with a few seconds left on the play clock. He called everyone over, nobody will ever know what was said (I wish I did) but he wasn't panicked! He allowed his defense to take a deep breath, took the momentum away from Miami and Beck and allowed Mario and his staff to rethink(like we've all experienced) their game plan. Sure enough the very next play was the int. BRILLIANT!!

That Cignetti is one goofy dude but he sure can coach!! I think I'll have a beer!! Hilarious!

Edited 12 hours ago12 hr by candyduck
Update

I don't really like beer most of the time (there are situationalexceptions to every rule), but I can appreciate the moment!

Hear, hear!

Edited 12 hours ago12 hr by woundedknees

I thought Miami was going to score a TD and win the game. They blew it.

A great QB doesn't blow it when it counts the most.

What I can imagine a coach saying in that spot would be: "Don't give it away, focus on your assignments and make them earn it".

I wish football coaches used timeouts like they do in volleyball and basketball to stop the momentum when it's really swung against you.

I think Cignetti is going to make it a thing. What is better, to have 3 timeouts left to give you a chance to get the ball back to score if the opponent gets one more first down, or is it better to have stopped the other team's momentum on the previous drive so you didn't end up playing from behind in the first place?

I noticed the same thing during the game when Indiana called that timeout. Great move to get reorganized and spell your pass rushers.

However, I did take issue with Cignetti on Indiana's previous drive to not put the ball in Mendoza's hands to get the first down (throwing). Whether Indiana fails throwing or running, they still kick the field goal and Miami gets the ball with 1:42 left.

With that much time on the clock, I feel the timeout is low impact in college football with clock stopping on first downs. Indiana should have done everything possible to get that first down instead of the lazy handoff to burn Miami's last timeout. Willingly giving it back to Miami with 1:40+ remaining was a huge mistake in my opinion. Fortunately, it didn't cost them.