East Carolinian

Issue date: 9/23/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: AP

This past Saturday, ECU coach Skip Holtz was faced with one of the toughest decisions a football coach has to make. The decision backfired on ECU-giving N.C. State momentum-but it was still the right decision.

In the first possession of the fourth quarter, ECU drove down the field and had first-and-goal from the 4-yard line, winning 21-17. The Pirates were on the verge of pushing their lead to two possessions. This would have made an N.C. State comeback very difficult, if not impossible.

The next four plays changed the complexion of the game, giving the Wolfpack all the hope it needed.

On first-and-goal, Jonathan Williams was tackled just short of the N.C. State end zone, setting up second-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Two unsuccessful runs later, the Pirates remained on the 1-yard-line, forcing Holtz to make a crucial decision.

The conservative, and arguably logical, decision to the fourth down dilemma would be to kick a field goal. A successful field goal attempt would have put ECU ahead by one touchdown, forcing N.C. State to score twice-or convert a two-point conversion-to take the lead.

Holtz took the riskier approach, and went for it.

After what appeared to be some backfield confusion before the play, Williams was hammered by N.C. State safety J.C. Neal immediately after receiving the fourth down handoff.

The Pirates' attempt to seal the game failed.

N.C. State's goal line stand completely reversed the momentum of the game. The Wolfpack went on to win 30-24 in overtime, but Holtz stood by his decision after the loss.

"I don't regret it," said Holtz. "I turned to [defensive coordinator] Greg Hudson and said, 'What do you think?' He said, 'Go ahead. Let's get up two scores now.' So we turned and we went after it."

Its easy to second-guess coaches decisions, but in reality, ECU was just inches away from putting the game away. Holtz should not be blamed for trying to do that.

"We played this game to win," Holtz said. "We didn't play it conservative or close to the vest. I wouldn't change anything that I did. I might change a couple of play calls since they didn't work, but I would go for it again."

The fourth-year ECU coach also pointed out the impact field position had on his decision. After the defensive stand, N.C. State took the ball over on its own five-yard-line with 10:33 left in the game, still losing 21-17.

After three plays and a punt by the Wolfpack, ECU started its next drive with a short field, eventually getting the desired field goal and 24-17 lead.

ECU, now ranked No. 23, was one measly yard away from sealing a road victory over its archrival and continuing a dream season. The risk was worth taking.

Holtz deserves credit for taking that chance, and for owning his decision after it didn't work.

If ECU had put the ball into the end zone on that drive, the Pirates would still be undefeated and Holtz would be praised for making a great decision.

Instead, the Pirates were handed their first loss of the season and will have to regroup after such a deflating weekend in Raleigh.

There are tons of reasons why teams lose college football games, but a coach's decision to try and win one-when presented the opportunity-is not one of them.



This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.

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