4th Quarter Covers - Sep. 9-13
By: Nelly's Sportsline
Here is a look back at the spread result changing plays and sequences from last weekend's college games and the opening week NFL action. These games had spread result changing moments in the fourth quarter, leaving backers on both sides watching intently through the final minutes.
NCAA
Houston led by 20 entering the fourth quarter before both teams exchanged touchdowns. A field goal about halfway through the final quarter gave Houston a narrow cover before adding another late touchdown to push the margin to 30. UTEP got to near mid-field on its last two drives but failed to convert on fourth down plays.
In an exciting offensive game Wake Forest led Duke by just three entering the fourth quarter. The Demon Deacons pushed that lead to ten points early in the final quarter but Duke answered with a field goal. On its ensuing touchdown drive Wake Forest but missed the conversion attempt to push the lead to just 13, and allow Duke's final score with less than two minutes remaining to earn a push for most with a 54-48 final.
Florida struggled early on against South Florida but scoring three times in a five-minute span in the third quarter created a 28-7 lead. South Florida answered just before entering the fourth to cut the lead to just 14 and within the spread. The Bulls had an interception and a punt on their final two possessions while Florida got a field goal and a touchdown in the fourth quarter to pull away for a narrow cover.
Nebraska led 38-10 entering the fourth quarter thanks to two first half interception return touchdowns and that margin would have given the Huskers a push or a narrow cover for many backers. After exchanging fumbles in a sloppy fourth quarter Idaho put together a 98-yard scoring drive on its final possession to take the backdoor cover with just over two minutes left on the clock.
While LSU dominated Vanderbilt in terms of yardage the Tigers led just 10-3 entering the fourth quarter. LSU dominated the fourth quarter to push the final margin to 27-3 and a final score more in line with the 392-135 yardage edge.
Having to settle for four field goals in the game Boston College took a 26-6 lead into the final minutes against Kent State to be narrowly ahead of the spread as the Eagles completely shut down the Flashes in the second half. On Kent's final possession the Flashes broke a 32-yard pass play for a touchdown and a backdoor cover as Boston College ran out the clock deep in Kent territory.
Oregon and Tennessee were tied at 13-13 at halftime before a couple of big plays broke open the game for the Ducks. In the third quarter Oregon got a 72-yard touchdown run and a 76-yard interception return to push the margin to 14 entering the fourth quarter. After a valiant effort Tennessee was clearly out of gas in the final frame and Oregon was happy to pile on points, creating a very misleading 48-13 final in game that Tennessee led 13-3 at one point.
Tulsa pulled away in the third quarter with two field goals to push the lead to 33-14 against Bowling Green. The Falcons put together a fourth quarter scoring drive to get back within the spread and actually drove deep into Tulsa territory on the next possession before an interception sealed the game for the Golden Hurricane.
Washington led Syracuse 27-13 early in the fourth quarter coming back from a 10-0 deficit to just get past the spread. The Huskies then broke a 52-yard run for a score to get up 21 before the teams exchanged touchdowns to close the game.
With a two touchdown spread on the road San Diego State led by just 13 points entering the fourth quarter. New Mexico State struck first in the final frame to cut the lead to six but the final two drives for the Aggies did not pan out and the Aztecs added two scores to sneak away with the cover.
While Kentucky led by 28 entering the fourth quarter, Western Kentucky took a big pass play to pay dirt halfway through the final quarter to get with the 24-point spread. Kentucky did not let off however, finishing out the game 63-28 with two scores in the final seven minutes.
In a back-and-forth game North Texas took a 31-26 lead early in the fourth quarter to narrowly cover a small spread. Rice would answer for the win with a touchdown with six minutes to go to take a slim lead and while North Texas moved the ball well on its final drive the Mean Green ultimately fell short.
NFL
Miami led Buffalo 10-3 entering the fourth quarter but there was more scoring to come in the opener with Buffalo. Miami would add a field goal but Buffalo answered finally putting a strong drive together and connected for a touchdown on a fourth and eleven play to cut the margin to 3, right on the spread. Buffalo got the ball back but they were pinned deep and opted to take a safety with a minute and a half remaining hoping to improve the field position. Buffalo was able to get the ball back but nothing came of it and the Dolphins ended up with a fortunate narrow cover.
In tightly lined opener between two teams that expect to find the playoffs after falling short last season Pittsburgh and Atlanta endured a physical defensive battle. In regulation both teams managed just three field goals The Steelers failed to take the win in regulation with a missed 40-yard attempt with 39 seconds to go after Atlanta had tied it minutes earlier. Atlanta got the ball first in overtime but could not muster much on offense and a marginal punt left the Steelers at midfield before quickly breaking a long run for the win.
The Browns got off to a strong start last week to lead 14-10 at the half but then fumbled after a long drive to open the second half and momentum shifted. The Bucs would move the ball reasonably well in the second half while Cleveland did nothing but Tampa Bay broke through for the score with about seven minutes to go pushing the lead to three for a push or a narrow win depending on the line. After a Browns interception, Tampa Bay had a chance to extend the lead deep in Cleveland territory but a fumble saved a push for many backers of the Browns.
Jacksonville led 17-14 entering the fourth quarter but Denver would tie the game early in the fourth with a 54-yard field goal. Jacksonville answered with a great scoring drive to go up seven but Denver took the ball deep into Jacksonville territory on the ensuing drive, only to fail going for a fourth down conversion. Both teams would get the ball again but the seven-point margin held up.
In a game that featured eight turnovers the Rams appeared poised for a big victory against Arizona last week with a 13-10 lead entering the fourth quarter. Arizona's first drive of the final frame ended in another fumble but the Rams had to give the ball back. Arizona put it together on the next drive with an 86-yard drive for the winning score and a slim cover. The Rams moved the ball late in the game but ultimately fell short in a painful loss.