Historic upsets are part of the fabric that makes college football so great. And we almost had one today in Los Angeles.
The South Alabama Jaguars were leading Chip Kelly and the UCLA Bruins in the Rose Bowl, 31-29, with three minutes left in the fourth quarter. That’s when South Alabama coach Kane Wommack inexplicably decided to run a fake off of a 40-yard field goal attempt that would have made it a two-possession game.
You can probably guess what happened next: The Jaguars hilariously botched the play.
Good job, good effort, South Alabama. pic.twitter.com/QHHZy8PEbe
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 17, 2022
Naturally, the college football world had some reactions to the bone-headed play:
Ask Corso: I think you should kick the field goal here!
Me: pic.twitter.com/L9u7kICLry
— Kofie.bsky.social (@Kofie) September 17, 2022
Professional gamer Kofie joked about ignoring the computer’s play-calling advice in the NCAA video game series.
Add this to the ledger of crimes against football that contribute to letting an upset slip away: https://t.co/gcoGe15lKi
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) September 17, 2022
“Add this to the ledger of crimes against football that contribute to letting an upset slip away,” tweeted Sports Illustrated reporter Pat Forde.
I’m very sad that this is about to cost South Alabama the game. pic.twitter.com/CvuhXRFiUd
— Jaime Eisner (@JaimeEisner) September 17, 2022
“I’m very sad this is about to cost South Alabama the game,” wrote the Draft Network’s COO, Jaime Eisner.
Thanks Coach, just blew this game at UCLA
We had it! pic.twitter.com/aV9MSadALI
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) September 17, 2022
“Thanks, coach, just blew the game at UCLA. We had it!” Wrote Outkick the Coverage‘s Trey Wallace.
Instead of going for it with their offense, which is averaging 6 yards a play, South Alabama did this. How stupid. https://t.co/QLC9j7Kj6w
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 17, 2022
“Instead of going for it with their offense, which is averaging six yards a play, South Alabama did this. How stupid,” said former NFL lineman Geoff Schwartz.
UCLA went on to stave off the upset and win the game, 32-31.