Trailing 23-20, Northern Illinois had the ball at the Boston College 23-yard line with 1:20 to go on Friday night at Huskies Stadium.
On first down, the Huskies ran a quarterback keeper with Ryan Graham, resulting in no gain.
The Huskies — who had two timeouts left — didn’t get their next play off until there were only 47 seconds remaining, and went with a crossing route in the middle of the field for just a one-yard gain.
That play was then followed by an incomplete pass with 31 seconds left, setting up the the Huskies for fourth down and a field goal attempt. Northern Illinois’ handling of the final minute and a half seemed like a team just trying to get the game to overtime, rather than really making an effort to just win the game in regulation.
And, we then saw why you don’t want to leave the game up to #CollegeKickers.
Huskies senior kicker Christan Hagan attempted a 39-yard field goal for the tie… and came up short with a clank off the crossbar.
Ballgame!!! It’s no good.#BCEagles pic.twitter.com/wHRDEzdPDi
— Boston College Football (@BCFootball) September 2, 2017
Boston College would then run out the clock, and leave DeKalb with a 23-20 victory over Northern Illinois.
Oh, and yes, there were many #CollegeKickers tweets.
#collegekickers 🚨🚨🚨
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) September 2, 2017
If things go south again for Rod Carey this season… we can look back at playing for FG and some questionable play calls vs. BC as beginning.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) September 2, 2017
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) September 2, 2017
missed you, #collegekickers
— katie dzwierzynski (@kdzwierzynski) September 2, 2017
Playing for the field goal. Yeah, this always works out well. #CollegeKickers
— Adam / Kelly Clarkson Stan Account (@xFloorGeneral) September 2, 2017
Just witnessed NIUs kicker have a 39 yard FG to send the game into OT come up 5 yards short… I've missed this #CollegeKickers
— Tyler Gammon (@TylerGammon) September 2, 2017
I really am not sure I've ever seen a game-winning 39-yarder come up short. Uncharted territory even by #collegekickers standards
— Jerry Hinnen (@JerryHinnen) September 2, 2017
#collegekickers strikes again, why these coaches play for ot baffles me
— Kenny Chung (@kbchung8) September 2, 2017
It’s just the beginning of a weekend that is sure to feature plenty of bad kicking across college football.
[CBS Sports Network]
