If I had a dollar for every one that said those words to me this week regarding the second most famous throw in Auburn history, I'd be a fair amount richer. I always politely smile, then ask 'just how do you do that.' Which gets a confused look; a cross between thinking I might be questioning if the sun is real and that I am a closet Tech fan.
But in reality, no one has been able to answer that question. I distinctly remember thinking, when the ball was still in the air, but after it was deflected, that of course the ball popped into the air, two Georgia players collided at the ball. That's just physics. After watching it 15 or so times on DVR, I don't see how either player could have batted it down.
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(Image: TODD J. VAN EMST — Special to The Telegraph)
h/t Blutarsky |
In what is a great irony, we had terrific coverage on the play. Tray Matthews was playing deep on the receiver with position. Josh Harvey-Clemons closed from his position to the ball. If just one of those two players gets there, it is either an interception or knocked down. As it is, the ball hit off Matthews' shoulder pad when JHC got there at there at the same time. There is also a relatively small window the ball could have gone into after the deflection and have the Auburn receiver still get to the ball.
Like Fusilli Jerry, it was one in a million, and that isn't the only similarity in the reference.
TD
6 comments:
TD... The ball was tipped by JHC's right hand and never touched Matthews. This replay shows this between the 1:37 and 1:38 mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf5jnajTKJI If JHC was intent on leaping over Matthews to make a play, a high-to-low swat motion would have been much more effective than the low-to-high hands thrust he deployed. JHC could have destroyed that ball had not been trying to catch it. But, you are absolutely right about the incredible irony that having two players in position to make the play is precisely why they didn't make the play. Just one of those seasons. Still can't believe it.
I just see Matthews there waiting to receive the arm punt, with JHC looking to catch it too. The ball, and both of them converged in the same space at the same time. At least that is what I'm seeing.
Oh and thanks for posting this video.
I cannot watch that without the word "bullshit" escaping my lips. It's like an involuntary reaction.
It is just rotten luck. Terrible irony and a fitting metaphor for this season. You are also dead right about the tiny window that the ball had to drop into for the receiver to be able to handle it off of the tip. It was truly a gift from the football Gods, who have been exceedingly cruel to Georgia this season.
You can only see what happens from one angle. Hunker Down Dawg gave you the exact moment you can see it (1:37). You can clearly see JHC's right hand touch the ball and magically turn a dying duck into a perfect spiral. It's just nuts. The ball never reaches Matthews's shoulder pad. If you can't see it, then I think you may need to make an appointment with your optometrist ;-)
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