Late Quarter Covers
By Joe Nelson
Here is a look back at the spread result changing plays and sequences from last weekend's college games and the week 5 NFL results. There were several wild finishes that had spread result changing moments in the fourth quarter, leaving backers on both sides watching intently through the final minutes.
NCAA:
After a high scoring first half, Connecticut and Rutgers stalled on offense in the second half, with the Huskies eventually punting six straight possessions. Rutgers took an 82-yard drive deep into scoring territory early in the fourth quarter but came up empty. On the next possession Rutgers would tie the game with one play, connecting on a 52-yard pass play with less than four minutes left in the game. Both teams exchanged unproductive possessions after that but Rutgers got the ball back with just over a minute to go and earned the victory with a field goal with just seconds left on the clock.
Oklahoma State’s high scoring offense took some time get going against Louisiana as the Cowboys actually trailed 21-17 at halftime. Oklahoma State scored on seven of its next eight possessions to pull away and stole the cover late with the final score coming with less than five minutes to go in the game.
The most played rivalry in college football delivered an exciting fourth quarter from an against the spread perspective as Wisconsin and Minnesota traded late scores. Wisconsin moved a five-point lead to a 19-point lead with a strong third quarter and the Badgers pushed that lead to 24-points early in the fourth quarter to get past the spread. Minnesota quickly answered to cut the lead to 35-16 but Wisconsin scored again with just over six minutes to go, bringing the margin to 25. Controversially Wisconsin went for two on that score which created a heated exchange in the post-game handshakes for the coaches but Minnesota would put together a scoring drive to get back within the spread, losing by 18.
While the yardage between Colorado State and Air Force ended up nearly even, Air Force took a 49-13 lead into fourth quarter. The Falcons did not score again while the Rams scored two late touchdowns, the last coming with under a minute to go in the game proving decisive against the spread.
Notre Dame led 20-10 against Pittsburgh entering the fourth quarter before extending the lead to 23-10 with just over nine minutes to play. The Panthers would get back in the game with a 56-yard strike to cut the lead to just six, right on the spread at most outlets. Both teams struggled to move the ball in the final possessions and after Pittsburgh was stopped deep in its own territory late in game the Irish were able to let the clock run out.
SMU led Tulsa 21-10 entering the fourth quarter but in an oddly low-scoring game the Golden Hurricane had chances to get the win, missing a field goal in the fourth quarter before connecting for a touchdown with just under seven minutes to go in the game, getting within three points. SMU was able to put together a 12-play drive to run out the clock, taking the win but losing against the spread.
At one point Arkansas State led 21-3 against North Texas but the Mean Green went on to score 13 unanswered points in the second half of the second quarter. After no scoring in the third quarter North Texas added a field goal to cut the margin to just two points. North Texas opened the week as favorites but the line shifted dramatically with Arkansas State favored by 3.5 by kickoff and the Red Wolves would sneak by the late spread as well with a field goal to win by five.
Florida International jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first half but a touchdown in the final minutes before halftime game Western Kentucky a little momentum and the Hilltoppers cut the lead to just seven points entering the fourth quarter. Florida International would extend the lead back over the spread early in the fourth quarter but Western Kentucky hit a 53-yard pass play late to earn the spread win in a 28-21 loss.
As a slight favorite with a line that jumped around between -3.5 and -2.5 throughout the week Louisiana Monroe took a 12-10 lead into the fourth quarter. Florida Atlantic took the lead in the fourth 17-12 but Monroe would eventually get the lead back, scoring with less than three minutes to go and getting the two-point conversion which proved critical to many ULM backers.
NFL:
With Cleveland’s offense disappearing once Seneca Wallace left the game the Browns were still down just 13-10 most of the fourth quarter, still good enough for a push at most lines. Jake Delhomme was intercepted with just over four minutes to go in the game and the pass was returned for a touchdown to give the Falcons a ten-point lead. Cleveland moved the ball deep into Atlanta territory on the next possession but another interception was the end result.
Through three quarters the Colts and the Chiefs were tied 9-9, only managing field goals. Indianapolis took the lead with another kick early in the fourth to lead 12-9 with the Chiefs still holding the ATS margin. The next two Kansas City drives were 3-and-outs and the Colts finally did breakthrough, getting a 12-play touchdown drive with just four minutes to go, getting narrowly past the spread. Kansas City got right down the field on the next possession but needing two scores went for a field goal that Ryan Succop would miss from 51-yards with just over a minute to go.
While Green Bay was not terribly impressive, the Packers did lead Washington 13-3 entering the fourth quarter. Early in the final frame Washington connected on a 48-yard pass play to get within three-points. Washington then got a stop near mid-field and moved the ball right back down the field only to miss the tying field goal attempt. Washington’s defense held again however and Graham Gano nailed his second chance with just over a minute to go. Green Bay’s offense found new life and the Packers quickly moved into field goal range only to hit the post on Mason Crosby’s winning attempt. Green Bay got the ball first in overtime but was forced to punt and Washington did the same. Aaron Rodgers would throw a critical interception on the next possession and Gano nailed the game winner.
The Jets controlled most of the game in a sloppy Monday night affair but settling for field goals kept Minnesota in the game. Late in the third quarter Minnesota finally hit a few big plays to cut the lead to 12-7, right near the spread. The Jets got a huge kickoff return to take the momentum back and added a field goal to push the margin to eight-points at 15-7 entering the fourth quarter. Minnesota quickly went down the field to score early in the fourth quarter, and after some confusion failed on the two-point conversion trying to tie the game. The Vikings forced a New York punt on the next possession but the Vikings offense stalled and did the same. New York hit a few big plays and a long run got in the end zone for a 22-13 lead. Minnesota needed just over a minute to answer and the lead was back to just two points. Minnesota’s defense got the stop it needed and the Vikings got the ball back with almost two minutes remaining. Brett Favre would be intercepted for a touchdown to push the lead back to nine. Needing two scores to win Minnesota was effectively out of the game but the spread was still in serious doubt as the Vikings took a few shots with the final play a jump ball in the end zone that was knocked around near several Minnesota players before falling harmlessly.