Fake Punts and Onside Kicks

Mid-majors pulling “tricks” are just cute little stories to the media, but that is all changing.

I’d wager that the aggressive play calling by Boise State over the years has not gone unnoticed and has had some small amount of influence on such play calling by BCS and pro coaches.

I agree with your points 100%. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sean Payton received some inspiration from Coach Pete’s success with “trick” plays before directing his players to execute the onside trick…. whoops, I mean kick!

I immediately thought of the flack Boise State gets for trick plays, and how hypocritical sports media can be.

It also proved I’m a bit of a homer though. I’d been rooting out loud for the Saints (cause my son asked me to, and I’m a Chargers/Vikings fan, so who cares, really) but inside I’d been secretly hoping the Colts would pull it off, if only to shut up some of those people on the Brady v. Manning debate. When New Orleans made that kick recovery though, I knew I had to cheer for them for their Boise State like play call.

The people at the party I was at, said that it was cheap and amateur. They claimed the Saints only did it because they knew they would lose if they didn’t. They all even mentioned Boise in their reasoning. “Boise had to do a fake punt to win, because they were going to lose if they didn’t.” and.. “Boise only beat Oklahoma because of lucky trick plays.” In their defense, we do live in SEC territory, so I don’t expect them to really understand.