Miami’s Perfect Play Could Have Transformed CFP Final Outcome

In the recent College Football Playoff (CFP) Championship Game, a series of pivotal moments defined the outcome between Miami and Indiana. The stakes were high as Miami sought its sixth national championship while Indiana aimed for a flawless 16-0 season.

Crucial Special Teams Play Changes Game Flow

One of the game-changing events was a blocked punt from Miami that allowed Indiana to recover and score a touchdown. This critical play shifted the momentum and proved costly for the Hurricanes. They faced significant backlash for their special teams’ performance, which also included a missed field goal earlier in the game.

An Almost Game-Changing Trick Play

Miami was very close to executing a major special teams play that could have altered the game’s trajectory. At 6:34 in the third quarter, with Indiana leading 10-7 and punting from their own 41-yard line, Miami receiver Malachi Toney was positioned to initiate a trick play.

• Toney was set to field the punt near the 5-yard line.
• He peeled off from his blocking duties to set up for a backward pass.
• If executed correctly, the play could have led to a touchdown with 95 yards of open field ahead.

However, the punt turned out to be exceptionally executed. It traveled 55 yards and landed perfectly in a corner, forcing Toney to field it just shy of the end zone. This left him with little time to set up the play effectively.

Aftermath of the Missed Opportunity

In retrospect, many believe that a better decision would have been to let the ball bounce in hopes of it reaching the end zone for a touchback. Toney’s eagerness to make a play, however, led to confusion. Instead of scoring a potential 14-10 lead for Miami, the series ended in a three-and-out, followed by the disastrous blocked punt.

The ensuing touchdown by Indiana extended their lead to 17-7, representing a significant 14-point swing in the game’s momentum. This series of events underscores the adage that football is often a game of inches, where seemingly small decisions can have monumental implications.