Fourth Quarter Covers
By Joe Nelson
Here is a look back at the fourth quarter spread result changing plays and sequences from last weekend's college games from the final weekend of November and the week 12 NFL results. There were several close finishes last week that left backers on both sides scrambling through the closing seconds.
NCAA:
Alabama got off to a 24-0 lead against Auburn and appeared on its way to more points but Auburn created a few stops and then got back in the game with a great third quarter. Alabama still led 27-21 as a slight favorite entering the fourth quarter but momentum had clearly shifted and Auburn took the lead early in the final frame and then held on for a narrow victory that certainly seemed improbable early in the game.
Tulsa led Southern Miss 35-34 entering the fourth quarter before a wild finish allowed the Golden Hurricane to pull away for a narrow cover. Both teams exchanged scores but getting within two after a big play Southern Miss decided to go for two with just under eight minutes to go in the game. The try failed and Tulsa answered with a score to move up by nine. Needing two scores to win or Southern Miss settled for a field goal with just over two minutes to go but never got the ball back.
Despite leading at halftime, Arizona needed a late score to get back within the spread. Oregon led 34-22 entering the fourth quarter but quickly pushed the lead to 48-22 to get past the massive line momentarily. Oregon had only allowed one fourth quarter touchdown all year but Arizona would find the end zone to get back within the spread and there was surprisingly no scoring in the final ten minutes of the game.
Purdue led Indiana 28-21 entering the fourth quarter but Indiana promptly tied the game. With just over five minutes to Purdue kicked a field goal to go ahead and in the closing seconds Indiana had to go for the tying kick after failing to get the win with a touchdown. Purdue was picked off in its overtime possession and after a scare with a fumble Indiana kicked the game winning field goal.
North Carolina took a 24-10 lead early in the fourth quarter to get by the spread momentarily but Duke added a safety and a touchdown in the final five minutes to earn a late cover.
Missouri was in control against Kansas the whole way but the Tigers did not get past the spread until adding a touchdown in the final three minutes of the game following a Kansas interception.
LSU trailed Arkansas 21-20 entering the fourth quarter, within the spread as slight underdogs but Arkansas hooked up for a long pass play touchdown early in the fourth quarter and then added a field goal to go up by eleven. LSU got into scoring territory but needed two scores so they took the field goal to get within eight when a touchdown with a conversion would have earned the cover.
With a 44-point spread TCU was just short of the margin entering the fourth quarter only up 52-17. The Horned Frogs kept going however with two fourth quarter touchdowns leading to the spread win.
Louisiana Tech was just past the spread with 38-24 lead on San Jose State entering the fourth quarter but the Spartans did not quit and a score just outside of two minutes cut the margin to just seven points to take the cash.
Florida International led by just three entering the fourth quarter and with a touchdown Arkansas State took the lead by four. The Panthers got a field goal to close the deficit to one point and then scored the winning touchdown to also get past the spread.
Troy and Western Kentucky were tied at 14-14 entering the fourth quarter but Troy scored first in the final frame. After missing the point after attempt Troy led by just six while laying 13 points against the spread. Troy would get the stops it needed and added a late touchdown with the successful two-point conversion completing a 14-point margin for an improbable cover.
NFL:
The Patriots and Lions were tied 24-24 entering the fourth quarter but New England seemed to gain all the momentum by answering a Detroit score with a 79-yard pass play. The Lions had nothing left in the fourth quarter as the Patriots added three touchdowns to create a misleading final at 45-24.
The Jets led Cincinnati just 17-7 entering the fourth quarter, right on most closing numbers. The Bengals briefly got within the number with a field goal but the ensuing kickoff was returned for a touchdown to put the Jets up by 14 and New York actually added a safety late in the game as well.
The Packers and Falcons were tied at 10-10 entering the fourth quarter. Atlanta struck first with an early touchdown but Green Bay put together a great drive in the final minutes, eventually connecting to tie on a fourth down play with less than a minute to go. On the drive it appeared the Packers did not want to score too quickly and the fears were justified as a solid kickoff return plus a penalty left Atlanta at midfield and a few quick pass plays set-up the game winning 47-yard field goal.
Kansas City led Seattle just 21-17 entering the fourth quarter but the Chiefs took over with two touchdown drives in the span of just over two minutes. Seattle would connect for a late score to get within nine but the Chiefs added another touchdown late to create a convincing 42-24 final margin.
Baltimore led 17-3 entering the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay after no scoring in the third. With just over three minutes left Tampa Bay put together a scoring drive to clip the spread by just a half point. Both teams had several drives stall as much of the second half was played near midfield.