Jack Fertig's "The Play of the Year"

Talk about a teachable moment. Every coach of every sport in America should be requesting this piece of tape.

What Coaches Live For: THE PLAY To Show Their Players How the Game Should Be Played
Jack Fertig
September 20, 2009

...THE PLAY was a simple running play that Boise chose, I believe, because following the TD pass, the noise level, momentum and atmosphere in the stadium was such that they just needed to run a play, get tackled and huddle for the next one, allowing the crowd to settle down - even just a little bit...

...Instead, the Bronco running back broke free and was heading for the end zone!

...And then it happened! An honest-to-goodness miracle! The defensive back from Fresno chasing the Bronco back (actually, there were two of them) somehow got a hand on the ball just before the Boise State player was to cross the goal line … and he fumbled! The ball popped out and was heading for the back of the end zone. As soon as it rolled out, the 74-yard run would be nullified and turned into a mere touchback, just as if Boise State had punted the ball out of the end zone. Bulldogs ball, on their own twenty...

...But WAIT! Out of nowhere - and when you stop to think about it, for no reason, Titus Young, he of the kickoff return that gave the Broncos the ball on the 12-yard line after Fresno’s field goal, pounced on the ball - just before it was to exit the end zone. Touchdown, Boise State. Teaching point: to every football player who would ever buckled a chin strap. As a matter of fact, THE PLAY ought to be shown - and explained to every athlete, male or female, who plays a team sport.

Come on now. That’s a little bit of an exaggeration, no? Absolutely not - and here’s why. Here’s a play where the back from Boise State had broken loose and was being chased by defenders. From where Young started, there was no way he could get ahead of those defenders to throw a block, and watching the play, Boise’s running back didn’t need a block. He was either going to outrun his pursuers or they were going to tackle him just short of the goalline, setting up a first and goal for Boise with ten and a half minutes to go in the third quarter. There was no need, nor would any coach ever criticize him for not following the play. I don’t think there was another person in the stadium or watching on television who would have felt any other way.

No person other than Titus Young. What would possess a player to full-out sprint when there was no reason to do so - except celebrate with your teammate when he scored. Or dive on the ball he might fumble before he crossed the goal line. The change in attitude of the team and the crowd was noticeable. Had FSU taken over at its 20 following a touchback, the mood would have been, “Boy, did we dodge a bullet there. Let’s get on with business and score again.” A score that would have put them ahead. Big favorites don’t like playing from behind. On the road. Even if it’s early in the second half...

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