How far has Michigan come? Coach Brady Hoke played for OT field goal all along
The kicking situation became so unseemly last year, former Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez held midseason open student-body tryouts.
A year later, coach Brady Hoke intentionally avoided scoring a touchdown just so he could set up a game-winning field goal try in overtime.
Of a BCS game.
"To be honest with you, I didn’t want to go for the end zone," Hoke said Thursday at his season wrap-up news conference. "We hadn’t really got in there, besides the ... two catches Junior (Hemingway) makes. Didn’t want to lose yardage taking a sack."
Brendan Gibbons kicks the game-winning field goal in overtime against Virginia Tech.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Georgia and Stanford used similar conservative strategies in their bowl games, and lost.
The Wolverines did not, as kicker Brendan Gibbons converted a 37-yard attempt to give Michigan a 23-20 win against Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl. He also hit from 39 yards with 4 minutes left in regulation to help extend the game for Michigan.
Gibbons was just 1-of-5 on field goals last year and missed his only attempt in the Gator Bowl. He went 3-for-3 in the bowl game this year and finished 13-of-17 on the season.
A year after finishing last in the country in field-goal accuracy at 28.6 percent, Michigan was 36th this season at 76.5 percent. That helped to give Hoke confidence in the kicking game once Virginia Tech went scoreless in its half of overtime.
He handed the ball twice to Toussaint, picking up 5 yards.
"There was a thought of kicking on third down, but on the second down, we ended up on the right hash," Hoke said. "So, on the third down, we wanted to get back to the middle of the field and just called the power play, put (Gibbons) in the middle and let him kick it.
"If we had gotten to the 15 (for the first down), we probably would have kicked it then."
Gibbons said after the game he knew it was good as soon as it left his foot.
He really hit the big time after the game, though, when the sophomore divulged he thinks about brunette girls before kicks to settle his nerves. The comment went viral online and landed on "SportsCenter."
"Every time we were struggling in kicking, Coach tells me to think about girls on a beach or brunette girls," Gibbons said after the game. "So, that's what we did, and I made the kick."
Hoke said that strategy dates to an early practice last year.
"We kick a field goal at the end of every 2-minute (drill) on Thursday, and I always call a couple timeouts trying to ice the kicker," Hoke said. "And I asked him, 'You’re from Florida, aren’t ya?'
"I said, 'What makes you happy? The beach? You like the beach?' He said yes. I said, 'What makes you happy?' He said the sand, the water and pretty girls. I said, 'Pretty blondes?'
"He said brunettes, and that’s the end of the story.
After Tuesday, it's a story that has the nation's attention.
And a happy ending.
Brendan Gibbons opened up to AnnArbor.com earlier this year about his struggles and how he overcame them. That story can be found here.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Michigan Fan Gear
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
I love what Hoke has done with this team. At least this year he was the right coach at the right time. When he can get his players in there in a couple years Michigan will return to all their past glory. Can't wait to stock up on Michigan gear at <a href="http://michiganfangear.com" rel='nofollow'>http://michiganfangear.com</a>. Found some awesome hats and shirts.
microtini
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.
@Lorain Steelmen: Hedging your bet by naming your dog Brady so you can claim he was named after Tom in case the new HC didn't work out, is a perfect example of a fair-weather fan. What was it Bo said? Oh, yeah: "Those who stay will be champions."
Lorain Steelmen
Mon, Jan 9, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.
microtini, After 47 teams, at UM, I don't think anyone would describe me as a 'fair weather fan'....but at least we now know that you don't have a sense of humor.
DonAZ
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 5 a.m.
And in other news ... as of January 6th the "Casteel to Arizona?" question still unresolved: <a href="http://tucsoncitizen.com/wildcatreport/2012/01/06/rodriguez-waits-on-casteel-wants-staff-settled-by-end-of-next-week/" rel='nofollow'>http://tucsoncitizen.com/wildcatreport/2012/01/06/rodriguez-waits-on-casteel-wants-staff-settled-by-end-of-next-week/</a> As one of the commenters there wrote, "I hope he [Rodriguez] has a solid Plan B just in case."
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 1:21 a.m.
Say, AnnArbor.com: has it occurred to you that you might sell a few copies of that Melanie Maxwell photo of Gibbons' kick? That's a mighty fine photo, I've got to say.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 1:11 a.m.
AA.com: your headline is misleading: "all along" means from the beginning. NO ONE believes that even the Great Swami Hoke knew in advance that Virginia Tech would stop Michigan's running game in its tracks. We can infer from Coach Hoke's own words (" I didn't want to go for the end zone," Hoke said) - that he was talking about the Overtime Period when Michigan got possession of the ball. Only when that's made clear does it also become clear that Coach Hoke exercised his wisdom and his knowledge of football strategy - to telling effect. But still, Coach Hoke often displays a glaring flaw, one which we'll all have to help him with. That is: his pronunciation of a particular phrase: "daygone-it." It's NOT "day" and never has been. What kind of gutter he picked that up from we'll probably never know. But if we are to avoid national disgrace and banishment of Hoke by Lloyd Carr's Elite Corps of Michigan Men, we have to instill in this indispensable coach the proper pronunciation. (Remember how Rich Rod's use of "improper" terms and phrases drew immediate fire from the LCECofMM.) Coach: It's pronounced: "dogonnit" - bereft of syllabication. None other than U.S. Senator Al Frankin has made clear how to pronounce this "word" -- when he famously proclaimed (in the persona of Stuart Smiley), "Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!" ;-)
Hebner
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 10:59 p.m.
Great job on this article. This is a really cool story because this is another one of our players who endured the prior season only to persevere at a crucial moment. Gibbons looks like a hippie from the 60's; kind of laid back and mellow. He obviously put in the work and gained confidence throughout the season to lift his team to a BCS bowl victory... Great job Gibbons! We didn't play our best...had some injuries before and during the game, yet we won through sheer believing in each other...thanks coaches you make the biggest difference. We fought, we scrapped through...took advantage of their mistakes through great special teams play...I can't say enough, 'thank you'.
Tally10
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 7:55 p.m.
After a good 2011 season, I too look forward to the 2012 season. I think 2012 present it's self as an opportunity for UM to win the B1G and contend for the NC. Why I say this is: 1) Although M lose a few key starters, they'll return about 14-16 starters and a few with game experience. They'll also return all but 1 play maker. 2) Their schedule offers the opportunity for a #1 or #2 ranking. If they beat Bama at a neutral site, ND, Neb, and OSU on the road and finish undefeated, more than likely they're in the championship game. Tall order, but viable. I like the new coaching staff, but I think AB was the weak link this season, for them to be successful next year I think they have to start with AB and the offense...just my 1.45 cents ( down from 2 cents ).
GoBigBlue
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 4 p.m.
conversation*
GoBigBlue
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
LS, let's say hypothetically, that UM loses to Bama in a hard fought close game. Do you see them being able to run the table there after? Assuming their healthy of course. Also, if UM does what I ask above and wins the Big 10 championship vs Wisky, they would be sitting at 12-1 and would have to be in the NC conversastion. Your thoughts?
rightmind250
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.
I'll go on record. UM will have 4 losses in 2012. Alabama, ND, MSU & OSU. I would prefer they come into Columbus undefeated, but thats probably not going to happen. The OSUvUM game will be OSU's bowl game. I would say they will be targeting that game all year.
Lorain Steelmen
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.
Tally10. I was one of the few who actually thought UM could win 10 or 11 games this year. All this was predicated on stating relatively injury free, but that is true every year. I thought we'd lose to msu and Nebraska, instead we dropped the Iowa game....go figure! So here's where all this gets really spooky....I think we lose to Alabama in the opener, but beat ND, Nebraska, and ohio, on the road. We beat our 'little brothers' in AA, as well. I think we get Wisconsin in the title game. We'll end up in the RoseBowl, (Hoke gets title #43).......IF we stay realtively injury free.
knotch
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 7:06 p.m.
Hoke new Beamer would over think this game.....Hoke instill the "Keystone Cops" play book....rope a Dope... Snap Kick, Win
7718
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 6:01 p.m.
The article says "Hoke intentionally avoided scoring a touchdown just so he could set up a game winning field goal try in overtime". Hopefully in the future we can score a td before Hoke has to make that choice again.
DonAZ
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
You're right ... that's what the article says. But that's not what Hoke said. What Hoke said was he intentionally avoided ATTEMPTING to go for a touchdown. Big difference. It's not like Hoke stood on the sideline screaming at some running back, "No! No! Don't cross that goal line!" But intentionally taking the risk to try to put the ball into the endzone is a different matter. That particularly true with Robinson, who has a habit this season of throwing interceptions. Turning the ball over at that point in OT, where *any* score by Michigan wins the game, would have been disasterous. Hoke deliberately chose to forego a shot at the endzone in favor of ball positioning and a FG. There's nothing odd, weird or incorrect about that. Happens all the time, Particularly in OT where any score wins.
Terry Star21
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 5:53 p.m.
I believe everything Hoke says and everything he plans - he is a proven master of the game. If someone told me last January that Michigan would finish in the Top Ten, the highest BCS Big Ten team and the Top midwest, Big Ten and Michigan college I would have checked their breath. It is also quite amazing that when we were down last three years and now that we're the best in the Big Ten it really doesn't matter to the pitiful beraters out there, they still want to disrespect our coach, players, team and faithful - they must be really hurting right now. I was compelled to answer them with their own medicine (was deleted 67 times last year), but suddenly - I don't care. We are the Big Ten's best, and the insurgents are the wannabe's ! I thank the A2.com, Kyle and company for all the good stories and all my friends here that like me are always positive about our champion Wolverine football team - we are the faithful, we stayed and we are the champions ! MgoBlueForTiM.......and for Coach Hoke to keep that great 'straight face' during games
DonAZ
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.
With the 2011 season in the books ... and an 11-2 record I *never* envisioned ... my thoughts turn to 2012. How many days until the spring game? :-) 2012 is going to be an interesting year. It particular it will be interesting ... ... to see what, if any, signing day suprises occur ... to see whether Denard's passing mechanics improve over the summer ... to see what seniors assert themselves like this year's seniors did ... to see whether any true freshmen emerge as starters ... to see what other "new" names emerge in the spring and fall camps One of the things Hoke and staff have done is make it "cool" (or whatever word young people use nowadays) to be the guy seen as the hard-working stud who leads by example. Hoke and staff have made important steps to scrub out any sense of entitlement. Having to compete for a position is not seen as punishment; it is now seen as a motivator. All else equal, speed on a team is better than no speed. That should be obvious. What strikes me is how some of the better teams are blending size, strength and speed. Oregon is a very fast team, but they also have some size. LSU's defensive front is fast *and* strong. So as 2012 unfolds and the 2013 recruiting class takes shape, I will be interested to see where Hoke and staff are seeking to fall on the size/strength/speed continuum. And I will be interested to compare that to what Urban Meyer seeks to do at OSU. The 2012 schedule is tougher. We open against an always-good Alabama team. I can't wait to see what's coming next for Michigan Football.
Lorain Steelmen
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
Don, I think this class has decent potential. I'd really like to see Hoke land this OL from Pallup WA. ...Garnett/Garett? (I guess Stanford is the competition.) We're too lean there right now. I think the class strength is at LB, where he has Bolden, Jenkins-Stone, Ringer & Ross. Jake Ryan is a load already, and these guys will only make us tougher. That will help the D tremendously! Our weakest spot is still on the D-line, DT/DE. But Pipkins, Wormley & Strobel will help. I think we need one more 'impact' DT. (Living in the Toledo area), Wormley has been a BEAST for Whitmer. Athletic, he plays B-ball for the Panthers as well. I'm sure Koger played a part in landing this guy. Turning to DB's, I'm not sold on Gant, who played at Sylvania Southview. (They won the D-2 state title two years ago.) But he's related to both Woodson & Tony Gant, so the blood lines, are certainly there. I am always wary of DB's coming in, because the speed of the game is such a jump here.... One final note. I think Hoke has 'stud' RB, coming in, Housa(?). As Borges' offense 'matures' this kid will play a BIG roll, going forward, but that's two years away.
DonAZ
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.
@LS -- so let's assume the current verbal commit class for 2012 all sign. Do you have any sense, based on what you know or have read, about how that class ... heavy in defensive talent ... might fare?
Lorain Steelmen
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 6:11 p.m.
DonAZ. I am also looking forward to 2012, and definitely share many of your question marks. I'll add a couple. ...I think DRob progresses VERY well in his 'passing mechanics & defense recognition, but he will always be 'slight of build', w/ a higher risk for injury. ...I want to see Gardner acclimate into the QB role...we may need him ...Who takes over for Molk? I look for Barnum to be a candidate there, but the opener vs 'bama, WILL be, a huge test! This spot will be a major factor, in UM's success next year ...Who steps up to be the 'clutch receivers' next year, now that Hemingway & Koger are gone. I'm talking ball control recievers, as well a verticle, big strike, guys. ...A major concern all the way along our D-line. Who assumes the 'leadership' roles from VanBergen/Martin/Heiniger? These are 'big shoes' to fill, no pun intended ...Will Roh mature, or is he destined to be a 'backup'? (He has been AWOL, or been burned, failiing to mainitain contain, on key plays all year.) Your comment about defensive speed, combined with strength, IS the single biggest step remaining, to go to the next level! Your can't coach speed, you have to recruit that.) Hoke can offset lack of either, with position responsiblity, technique, and discipline, but to reach the top, he's got to emphasize recruitng studs. ...any everybody is after the same kids! The teams that play aggressive front sevens, only succeeed when they have 'shut down' DB's, that can 'hold up', on the back end. Same solution, being recruiting. In the end, as Hoke gets this program to the 'top 5 or 6', the margin for error decreases, as the difference between the teams decreases. Can't wait to see Team #133! ...........Go Blue!
DonAZ
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 5:46 p.m.
@Terry -- thanks for the kind words! But I'll tell you, if you're really look for stat-junky analysis, check out MGoBlog. There's some true stat-geeks there. Fantastic football analysis. I try to make it a point to not respond to the posts you allude to. That said, I have had more than a few of my posts deleted. But in general I find it better on my heart and soul to stay out of those scraps. My temper is kinda binary ... if I tickle it even a bit it goes from 0 to 1 pretty quickly. I've enjoyed the heck out of this season on this board ... I feel like we have a nice group of Michigan fans. If we weren't scattered all over the country I might suggest a get-together somewhere for a few beers and more football talk.
Terry Star21
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 5:39 p.m.
Don, I love your posts and I give you credit for working so hard to get us vital information - thank you Professor Don ! PS - why don't you ever get mad at the outsiders trashing us ? I do and have been deleted 67 times last year for telling those jerks what they are and what it is ! Keep up the good work ! GoBlue !
GoBigBlue
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.
I agree on alot of your interests for next year. My biggest interest being Denards continued development as a passer. I think that is the single most important determinant to how next season will play out. The defense will be fine once the staff uses the off season to develope the new starting d-line players. Denard must improve his passing. If he does, we can pass to open up the run when we are in games such as the Sugar bowl, Sparty, and Iowa.
15crown00
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
kicker admits he moved before ball was snapped which means he was in motion which means the kick should have been no good.However the Zebras didn't call it or completely missed it.UM wins. LUCKY BREAK.They go home winners in a bowl they shouldn't hasve been in in the first place.
mun
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 5:22 a.m.
Again, how is 3 losses superior to 2 losses? Fuzzy math.
azwolverine
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 12:02 a.m.
Hey 15crown, Michigan went 11-2 and is a BCS bowl champ. Your talk is cheap. Not only was UM good enough to be in the game, they were good enough to win it...and they did. It's GREAT to be a Michigan Wolverine!!!
Larry Weisenthal
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.
MSU had two blowout losses. MSU played a weaker schedule. 'M' was in every game until the end. 'M' had higher computer rankings than MSU, even before MSU's loss to WI in the B1G championship game. I rooted for MSU against GA. I was very happy when they won. I think it's great that Michigan had two teams with such great seasons. Was there another state which had two different football teams with such successful seasons this year? We (Michigan, the State) are number one. I say this as someone who hasn't actually lived in Michigan since 1977. You can take the boy out of Michigan, but you can't take Michigan out of the boy. - Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach CA
missionbrazil
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 7:30 p.m.
To add to MRunner's comment about our 11-2 record being better than MSU's 11-3: We beat a higher ranked opponent in our bowl game (# 11 Va. Tech was 11-2) than Sparty beat ( # 16 Georgia was 10-3). An even bigger bitter pill to swallow.
Terry Star21
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.
Isn't this a great country ? Michigan is now the highest BCS ranked team, best in the midwest best in the Big Ten !
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.
If the call gets made its a 5 yard penalty and another kick from the 42. A bit more difficult but not undo-able. And even if he misses it just means another OT. All 3 loss sparty had to do was take care of business in their last game. But they didn't. It wouldn't hurt their "travel cache" if they actually filled their pint sized stadium consistently.
treetowncartel
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
Please don't take your portion of the 17 million then.
MRunner73
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 4:06 p.m.
What? Your (MSU) season wasn't good enough? I am very happy to know you remain very displeased, frustrated and anguished over all of this. BYW: Michigan's record is 11-2 and MSU's is 11-3 in 2011. A bitter pill to swallow for some (Sparty's). I hope to read more negative comments from you in the future. Be happy your team notched another great season, but you must share the top of mountain your great friends from Ann Arbor. So; no room at the top? Good luck and Go Blue!
Lorain Steelmen
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.
Now that the season is over I can make a full disclosure. Being a Scotty owner, my wife and I got a new Scotty pup last January, about mid-month. As it happened, this all occurred a week after Hoke was named the new HC. We looked at the pup. .....short stubby legs...black hair...... big teeth, and definitely, on the chubby side. We agreed he would be named 'Brady'. (We figured if Hoke was a 'bust', we could always tell our friends that we named the dog for Tom Brady), but if Hoke succeeded, he would be named for Brady Hoke. So here were are, one year later, after a 11-2 year, and Sugar Bowl Champs......he's definitely named for Brady Hoke, and yes, he's still a chubby ball of fur! Go Blue, 'Brady'...welcome back to Michigan! Note to 'rightmind250'. We all know, that YOU know, that this is 'just the beginning', of a long Wolverine run. And that, YOU know,.....Michigan IS, college football. (And as Theos' Brother says...'Were BAAAAAACK!')
rightmind250
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
hahaha, I appreciate all the great response. I knew that one would get your panties in a bunch. Control over the masses is an aphrodisiac.
A2nowDenver
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 1:17 a.m.
Those who can't play... talk. So, rightmind250, we'll assume that this is simply an outpouring of frustration stemming from OSU's tough season. That being said, realize that we all feel just a little bit sorry for you.
azwolverine
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 12:07 a.m.
Rightmind250...fitting screen name, I get it now. It took awhile, but now I get it. Since Michigan is "right" in every possible way (winningest program, best uniforms, biggest stadium, Sugar Bowl champs, etc) and since they occupy your "mind" 250% of every moment of every day...it all makes sense. rightmind250...I like it. Go Blue!!!!
Lorain Steelmen
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 8:01 p.m.
I used to post on JJ Huddle, several years ago, and at the time Tressel had a 'dirty thrity'. ie) 30 kids with police records. Over time that # grew to a 'filthy forty'. Now we see Urban coming in with a track record of 30 odd kids at UF, with police records. Looks like Urban will fit in fine in Coumbus, doesn't it, right mind? Meanwhile I haven't seen Urban beat Michigan yet...Even Carr beat him. So I don't look for Urban to do particularly well vs Hoke. I think Urban will be a lot like Cooper, great overall record , w/ terrible record vs Michigan.
DonAZ
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 7:13 p.m.
I saw a betting line in Vegas for how many felony arrests will be needed before Meyer even admits to an issue. He established the number '30' as the number at Florida. Early betting has the number at closer to 55 at OSU.
rightmind250
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 6 p.m.
A read an article recently about that very topic, Michigan is Back. It basically said back to what? It's just a hunch but by this time next year, I believe you will be thinking a little differently. There is already a line in Vegas on how many losses to OSU it will take before Hoke gets fired. Concensus, 5. it's going to be a long 5 years.
Lorain Steelmen
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 5:27 p.m.
Don, we have two, a female , Lexie, that is a 8 yr old rescue scottie, and Brady who is 1 1/2 now. Brady doesn't point....but he watches TV, and he goes absolutely NUTS during the commercials. ........(Hes' a big wolverine fan!)
DonAZ
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.
Does your Scotty point a lot? :-)
MRunner73
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 2:35 p.m.
Brady Hoke is a very smart Head Coach. Hoke's decision to opt for a FG in OT turned out wise. It was a gamble as the Maize and Blue opted to play defense to start OT in the Sugar Bowl .How many bowl games saw very dumb decisions made by the HC? 1) Frank Beamer-Va Tech 2) Mark Richt-GA 3) Brian Kelly-ND...to name a few. Brendan Gibbons is another wonderful story, thank goodness we have a real FG kicker. Haven't seen that in several years.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 3:08 p.m.
I agree with EyeHeart that playing defense to start OT in college is mostly a no brainer. An exception might be to take a 60 mile an hour wind at your back....but I'd have to think about that one.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.
"...as kicker Brendan Gibbons converted a 37-yard attempt to give Michigan a 23-20 win against Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl." we are lucky it wasn't a 42 yard attempt as officials failed to call a false start on Gibbons as he stutter stepped before the ball was snapped.
missionbrazil
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
I found this video ... it seems that the Cal kicker did the same thing against Oregon in 2010 and it was called a penalty ... and it cost them the upset. They lost 15-13. <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/college-football/Highlights-Giorgio-Tavecchios-Penalty-vs-Oregon-885412" rel='nofollow'>http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/college-football/Highlights-Giorgio-Tavecchios-Penalty-vs-Oregon-885412</a> Apparently we got away with one.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 4:45 p.m.
I am NOT a referee nor a rules expert in any way. But I don't think the kicker stuttering forward is legal. It simulates the start of play, its a forward (not lateral) motion and its not considered a "shift" which requires 2 or more players and institutes the 1 second rule.
missionbrazil
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 4:38 p.m.
I looked at the replay ( <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSrsdMOzmBs" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSrsdMOzmBs</a> ) , and Gibbons definitely made a step first. Then he seems to stop before he kicked the FG.
RudeJude
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.
It was very fortunate it wasn't called.
GoBigBlue
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 4:07 p.m.
Don I'm not sure about the answer to Q1 I'd have to watch it back again. As far as Q2, my assumption is that nerves played the biggest part in that stutter movement. If your a golfer you may know how when addressing the ball, a lot of players use a "waggle" to ease muscle tension and make a nice rythematic swing. I think anxiety was taking over a bit and he was simply moving before the ball was snapped.
DonAZ
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.
My understanding is the kicker may move towards the line of scrimmage ... PROVIDED a complete stop is executed before the ball is snapped. Q1 -- Is that what Gibbons was doing? Q2 -- Why in the wide world of sports would a kicker do that?
Nic schweigert
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.
If you'd watched the game he was doing that stutter step ever field goal attempt. He said it after the game in the interview even saying he wasn't sure what was going on with the snap and his stutter start
michboy40
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.
Hokes mentality as a coach and person absolutely turned this kid around. Gibbons is a microcosm of how Hoke turned the whole program around. Amazing.
RJ12688
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.
Sour grapes ^^
rightmind250
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 5:55 p.m.
Didn't have much affect on the punter. If anything, the longer he has been with Hoke the worse he has been.
Theo's Brother
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.
Amen to that!
Theo's Brother
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 1:27 p.m.
O King our King We could not kick Your motivational tactics Weren't worth a lick. O King our King You stunk as a whole The kicker you bashed Just won us a bowl. Theo's Eccentric and Proud Brother '12 We're BAAAAAAAAAACK!!! Go BLUE!!!!
Terry Star21
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 5:30 p.m.
Okay TB, you finally won me over ! Good poem, good post !
truebluefan
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 12:35 p.m.
"And a happy ending." Nice finish. Wink wink.