Monday’s Rose Bowl matchup between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Utah Utes featured one of the most blatant flop attempts that we have seen in quite some time from Utah punter Jack Bouwmeester.
The play occurred in the third quarter with Utah down by seven points. They were stopped on third down, forcing a punt from Bouwmeester that created a ton of controversy.
Bouwmeester punted the ball and was while he was touched by a Penn State defender on the kick, he appeared to clearly overplay the contact he received on the play.
If punting doesn't work out, Jack Bouwmeester may have a career as an actor ahead of him. pic.twitter.com/RBEcQgP6mq
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 3, 2023
Despite rolling around on the ground and selling the “injury” he suffered, he did not end up getting a running into the punter call from the officials.
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit had some great commentary while breaking down the replay, detailing that Bouwmeester pulled off his best impression of a soccer player with the flop.
“Ok, Chris, I know you’re a big World Cup guy. I’m not trying to make light of an injury. But I didn’t see anything at all,” said Herbstreit.
"Ok, Chris, I know you're a big World Cup guy. I'm not trying to make light of an injury. But I didn't see anything at all." https://t.co/WTfYQ2HJFc
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 3, 2023
Most around the college football world echoed Herbstreit’s sentiments, seeing that this was very clearly an acting job from Jack Bouwmeester.
“Flop of the year from Utah punter. Get up,” tweeted Reddit CFB on Twitter.
Flop of the year from Utah punter. Get up.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 3, 2023
On a scale of 1 to 10, what would you rate Utah’s punter’s flop?” tweeted The Sporting News on Twitter.
On a scale of 1 to 10, what would you rate Utah's punter's flop? 🤔pic.twitter.com/ScLfWpmYvu
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 3, 2023
“Utah’s Punter with the early flop of the year candidate,” tweeted Pro Football Focus on Twitter.
Utah's Punter with the early flop of the year candidate
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 3, 2023
Bouwmeester punted later in the game and apparently without issue without issue. So it appears pretty clear that this was an unsuccessful flop attempt that just made him look pretty embarrassing on the field on a huge stage like the Rose Bowl.
[The Comeback on Twitter, Photo Credit: ESPN]
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.