Late Quarter Covers
By Joe Nelson
Here is a look back at the spread result changing plays and sequences from last weekend's College Football games and the Week 6 NFL results. There were several close and controversial finishes last week that left backers on both sides tuned in through the closing seconds.
College Football
Cincinnati led Louisville 28-24 entering the fourth quarter to hold a slim lead over the spread. Louisville got within the number with a field goal but Cincinnati connected on a 62-yard pass play on the next possession to push the margin to eight points. Louisville got down to near the ten-yard line aiming for the chance to tie the game but could not convert.
Miami struggled early against Duke but eventually started to pull away, leading 28-10 entering the fourth quarter to match the late week spread. Duke added a late field goal with just over six minutes to go in the game to get within the spread and the Blue Devils recovered the subsequent onside to prevent Miami an opportunity to score again.
Illinois was in control against Michigan State in the first half but turnovers changed the game in the third quarter as an interception and a fumble led to more points for the Spartans. Illinois moved the ball well in the fourth quarter with two drives into Michigan State territory but not points resulted and a touchdown run with just over two minutes to go put the spread out of reach.
South Carolina was in control at halftime up 28-10 against Kentucky but the Wildcats got momentum late in the third quarter with a touchdown score after a big defensive stop early in the third quarter. The Wildcats forced a 3-and-out and then cut the margin to just five after a long touchdown drive finished early in the fourth quarter. South Carolina had two more unproductive possessions and the Wildcats put together a 12-play six-minute drive to score with just over a minute remaining in the game, taking the lead 31-28 with a successful two-point conversion. South Carolina moved into field goal range in the remaining time but aggressively went for the win, ultimately ending the game with an interception in the end zone and eliminating the chance of overtime.
Notre Dame led 41-17 entering the fourth quarter to narrowly cover the early week numbers but push for most with a 24-point spread. A field goal halfway through the final frame gave the Irish a slim spread win but Western Michigan immediately answered with a field-goal drive to get the margin right back on the number.
Northern Illinois led by just seven at the half against Buffalo but the Huskies pushed the lead to 17-points late in the third quarter to narrowly get past the spread. Buffalo had two drives deep into scoring territory in the fourth quarter but the Bulls did not score and the Huskies punched in two more touchdowns including a 90-yard run with less than five minutes to go to create a somewhat misleading final while padding the rushing numbers.
In a closely lined game Navy and SMU were tied at 14-14 entering the fourth quarter as the Midshipmen erased a 14-0 halftime deficit. Navy struck first in the final quarter to go up 21-14 and after trading punts SMU would go in for the tying score with less than three minutes to go. The Mustangs got the ball back with a quick stop but an interception would be the result deep in their own zone, setting up Navy's winning score. In the final minute and a half SMU moved the ball 55-yards deep into Navy territory but time would run out.
Washington was once up 21-0 against Oregon State but entering the fourth quarter the game was tied. Two excellent offenses failed to score in the fourth quarter and both teams were successful in the opening round of overtime with touchdown scores. Washington delivered in the second overtime and appeared to stop Oregon State on a fourth down play but pass interference reset the downs. The Beavers eventually answered with the score but Coach Mike Riley went for the win only the two-point conversion attempt could not be held on to, giving Washington a 35-34 win. The spread result could have been vastly different depending on timing as Oregon State opened as the favorite but Washington ended up as one and a half point favorite at most closing lines.
UAB posted 500 yards last week against UTEP but after missing two first half field goals the Blazers led just 7-6 entering the fourth quarter to fall short of a small favorite spread. The Blazers eventually cashed in with two long touchdown drives in the final frame to leave with a 21-6 victory, actually fumbling inside the ten with a chance to add more late points.
Closing as a four-point favorite Toledo led Kent State 24-21 entering the fourth quarter, completing a great comeback after being down 21-7 at the half. The Rockets would not stop, adding ten-points in the fourth quarter for a 34-21 win.
As a slight favorite, Auburn led Arkansas just 37-35 entering the fourth quarter falling short of the spread. Arkansas lost QB Ryan Mallett early in the game but the Razorbacks were getting excellent production in the air and early in the fourth Arkansas connected for a passing touchdown and a two-point conversion to go up 43-37. Things sharply turned Auburn's way thereafter with a quick scoring drive followed up by a fumble return touchdown. The Tigers added two more scores to deliver a 65-43 win despite being out-gained.
Western Kentucky took a 24-7 lead into the fourth quarter against Louisiana-Monroe, appearing on the verge of snapping a long losing streak. The Warhawks put together an impressive final frame however scoring four touchdowns in a row before Western Kentucky scored in the final minute to get back within five.
NFL
Baltimore led New England 17-10 entering the fourth quarter after the Patriots hit a field goal to get within seven. Early in the fourth quarter a field goal pushed the lead to ten points but New England answered with a touchdown pass to get within three. Baltimore got to midfield on its next possession but the Patriots drove deep into Baltimore territory ultimately settling for a field goal. The Ravens had nearly two minutes left on the clock but had to punt again and New England's drive for the winning score ultimately was intercepted. In three possessions in overtime Baltimore failed to get into scoring territory and the Patriots finally moved the 45 yards in seven plays to get the winning field goal.
While the Giants led 21-10 entering the fourth quarter the Lions made another late game push to steal a cover. With back-up QB Drew Stanton Detroit connected for an 87-yard pass play to get with four. With just over three minutes to go the Giants delivered a touchdown to go back up eleven but the Lions answered with a field goal to cut the margin to eight and within the spread.
The Steelers led just 14-3 entering the fourth quarter before adding a touchdown with less than six minutes to go. Cleveland finally got some offense going, connecting on the next drive for a touchdown to get back within a two-touchdown spread. With just over a minute to go the Steelers tacked on another touchdown to get by the spread.
Denver had the lead or was tied with New York virtually the entire game, taking a 17-10 lead into the fourth quarter. The Jets tied the game eventually but Denver was able to hit on a field goal to move up 20-17 with less than four minutes to go in the game. New York moved the ball near midfield and facing a fourth down play heaved a desperation pass that was generously rewarded with a 46-yard pass interference penalty, setting up an easy score for the win and cover.
San Francisco led Oakland just 10-6 entering the fourth quarter following a touchdown in the closing seconds of the quarter. Both teams were stuffed on the first possessions in the final frame but Oakland connected for a field goal to get within a point. On just three plays San Francisco connected for a touchdown pass to push the lead to 17-9, where the final would end up as Oakland never came close on its final two drives.
The Colts led by seven entering the fourth quarter and that lead was pushed to 10 points with less than nine minutes left to go in the game. Washington would score with less than three minutes to go to the margin right on three and even with the spread for most. The Redskins actually got the ball back twice more but could not move the ball and the Colts left with a three-point win.