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4th Quarter Covers - Week 3
September 22, 2015
Glancing at the scoreboard won’t tell you the whole story in most games. Here are some of the games that went down to the wire relative to the spread in the fourth quarter last week in the third weekend of college football. Each week there are several teams that cover despite not necessarily deserving it, as well as other teams that played much better than the final score shows.
Clemson (-5) over Louisville: After a very low scoring, low-output first half, Louisville took the lead early in the third quarter in the big Thursday night ACC Atlantic matchup. Clemson answered and by the start of the fourth quarter the Tigers led by seven, extending that margin to 10 points after a field goal early in the fourth quarter. The ensuing kickoff was returned 100 yards for a touchdown by Louisville to trim the margin to just three points and within the spread. The Cardinals had a great opportunity to tie the game a few minutes later, but the 38-yard field goal was missed and the final possession for Louisville ended with an interception though the Cardinals still held on for the underdog cover.
Florida State (-9½) 14, Boston College 0: Florida State scored a touchdown five minutes into the Friday night TV game, but there was very little production in the middle quarters, though the Seminoles did miss a field goal try. Starting a fourth quarter drive at the one-yard line, Boston College was able to convert three first downs to get some space still down just seven points, but a fumble was returned 36 yards for a touchdown to put the Seminoles up 14 and past the favorite spread. While the final drive for the Eagles entered Florida State territory, no points were added in a game that featured barely 400 yards of combined total offense.
Wake Forest (-7) 17, Army 14: Wake Forest certainly had the edge moving the ball against Army, but the Demon Deacons failed to score in the first half and were tied 7-7 heading into the fourth quarter. Early in the final frame, Wake Forest pulled ahead 14-7 to get past the common spreads that climbed from -3 all the way to -7 by kickoff. Army missed a field goal on its next possession, but got another chance with the third Wake Forest interception of the game and using a short field the Knights tied the game. Wake Forest wound up kicking a game-winning field goal in the final seconds, but it was not enough to get past the number.
Ball State (-4½) 28, Eastern Michigan 17: Eastern Michigan stormed out to a 17-0 lead in this MAC matchup, but with two touchdown drives in the final five minutes of the first half, Ball State was within three. Neither team scored in the third quarter but Ball State completed a 20-play touchdown drive early in the fourth quarter to take its first lead 21-17, but still sat short of the road favorite spread. After forcing a punt Ball State went down the field again and cashed in to take an 11-point lead and the final three drives for Eastern Michigan ended with a missed field goal and two interceptions.
NC State (-17½) 38, Old Dominion 14: NC State wound up with a dominant yardage edge in this matchup, but it was a two-score game in the fourth quarter and the Wolfpack still sat short of the heavy road favorite spread after kicking a fourth quarter field goal. On a late possession, Old Dominion was pinned back deep and forced to punt, giving NC State good field position in the final minutes. With the outcome certainly decided, the Wolfpack punched in a touchdown with less than two minutes to go in the game to earn the favorite a fortunate cover.
Syracuse (-7½) 30, Central Michigan 27: Despite losing another quarterback to injury, Syracuse led Central Michigan by 14 at the half with the spread hovering in between -5 and -8½ throughout the week. Central Michigan put together a 94-yard drive early in the second half to get within seven and it seemed like that final margin would hold, but the Chippewas connected for a 27-yard touchdown pass with just seven seconds to go in the game to force overtime. Central Michigan had to settle for a field goal and the Orange escaped by punching in the touchdown, but the underdog certainly earned the cover with a massive yardage, first down, and time of possession edge in the game.
Miami, FL (-3) 36, Nebraska 33: Miami was favored by 3 much of the week, but the line did hit -3½ and -4 at a few points. It seemed unlikely to matter as the Hurricanes led by 20 entering the fourth quarter and settling for a short field goal early in the fourth made it a 23-point margin. Nebraska made an incredible comeback with three long scoring drives in the final nine minutes, converting twice on 2-point conversions to force the game into overtime. Seemingly with the momentum, Nebraska had the ball first but wound up with an interception on the first play. Miami only needed the easy three points to get the win and that is all they got to burn Canes backers in what looked like a sure-win most of the way.
Toledo (-7) 30, Iowa State 23: The statistics certainly favored Iowa State, but Toledo took a 10-point lead on a fumble recovery touchdown in the third quarter, getting past the favorite spread that was up to -8 much of the week. Iowa State tied the game in the fourth quarter and the Cyclones looked likely to cover after getting a field goal in the first overtime. Toledo had to match the kick and then put in a touchdown in the second session. Iowa State was stopped on four plays inside the Toledo 10 to end the game as the final margin wound up right at seven.
Memphis (-3½) 44, Bowling Green 41: This non-conference game looked like it would be a fun one to watch between high-scoring teams and it did not disappoint. Bowling Green led early in its home opener but the game was tied 34-34 late in the third quarter and 41-41 early in the fourth quarter as the teams traded touchdowns on pass plays of 94, 60, 62, and 48 yards. Things tightened up in the final 10 minutes with three punts and Memphis managing a field goal. Bowling Green was stopped on its final possession for a three-point loss with the final margin right near the road favorite spread which flipped between -3 and -3½ for Memphis most of the week.
Colorado (-3) 27, Colorado State 24: This rivalry game was one of the better games of the weekend as a hot start for Colorado State came undone and the game was tied 17-17 entering the fourth quarter. Colorado got a game-changing 60-yard interception return touchdown in the fourth quarter, but Colorado State regrouped and answered to tie the game with less than five minutes to go. Colorado missed a field goal as regulation expired and a try for the Rams to start overtime was blocked. Colorado was conservative on its possession and kicked a 32-yard field goal for the overtime win, landing right on the common number most of the week, though early in the week Colorado was -4.
Indiana (-3) 38, Western Kentucky 35: While those on Indiana had plenty of opportunities throughout the week to get a number below -3, this game wound up with a three-point margin. Indiana trailed by 11 at the half, but stormed back in the third quarter with three touchdowns in about a seven-minute span to take a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter. Western Kentucky scored with about six minutes to go to create the final three-point margin. In its final two drives, Indiana failed to add points going for it on 4th-and-4 from the Western Kentucky 13-yard line and then ended the game taking a knee at the Western Kentucky 2-yard line as the Hoosiers certainly had the opportunity for a more convincing result.
California (-5) 45, Texas 44: After falling behind by 10 points early, California scored 31 straight points to take a 45-24 lead into the fourth quarter. Texas made a valiant comeback as they still trailed by 14 until cashing a touchdown on a long run with just three minutes to go. The Longhorns forced a punt and scored again with just a minute to go, but incredibly missed on the extra-point, a boon for those taking the points but a sour ending for Cal backers who had minutes ago been sitting pretty and could have at least still had a shot in overtime.
UTEP (-3) 50, New Mexico State 47: For a program looking for any sort of positive momentum this was an absolutely crushing loss for New Mexico State and a very tough beat for those on the home underdog, though most wound up with a push. The Aggies led 30-16 heading into the fourth quarter and after UTEP scored to trim the margin to seven, an 82-yard touchdown drive with just over four minutes to go put the margin back at 14 points for the Aggies. UTEP answered quickly with a three-play touchdown drive and forced a punt. Starting from the two-yard line the Miners went the distance to force OT in the final minute. The Aggies could only get three going first in overtime and UTEP finished the comeback with a touchdown.
Iowa (-4) 27, Pittsburgh 24: This game was tied 17-17 after Pittsburgh rallied in the third quarter with a touchdown on a blocked punt. Iowa scored with six minutes to go to take a seven-point lead just past the home favorite spread, but Pittsburgh answered to tie the game with less than a minute on the clock. Iowa kicker Marshall Koehn was the hero with an impressive 57-yard boot as time expired to get the Hawkeyes the win, but not the cover.
Michigan State (-24½) 35, Air Force 21: Michigan State did get past the heavy favorite spread in the third quarter with a 35-7 lead, but Air Force scored the final two touchdowns of the game. The game could have been even closer as Air Force lost a second half fumble and had an interception deep in Michigan State territory as well with the underdog Falcons producing a decent yardage edge in the game.
September 22, 2015
Glancing at the scoreboard won’t tell you the whole story in most games. Here are some of the games that went down to the wire relative to the spread in the fourth quarter last week in the third weekend of college football. Each week there are several teams that cover despite not necessarily deserving it, as well as other teams that played much better than the final score shows.
Clemson (-5) over Louisville: After a very low scoring, low-output first half, Louisville took the lead early in the third quarter in the big Thursday night ACC Atlantic matchup. Clemson answered and by the start of the fourth quarter the Tigers led by seven, extending that margin to 10 points after a field goal early in the fourth quarter. The ensuing kickoff was returned 100 yards for a touchdown by Louisville to trim the margin to just three points and within the spread. The Cardinals had a great opportunity to tie the game a few minutes later, but the 38-yard field goal was missed and the final possession for Louisville ended with an interception though the Cardinals still held on for the underdog cover.
Florida State (-9½) 14, Boston College 0: Florida State scored a touchdown five minutes into the Friday night TV game, but there was very little production in the middle quarters, though the Seminoles did miss a field goal try. Starting a fourth quarter drive at the one-yard line, Boston College was able to convert three first downs to get some space still down just seven points, but a fumble was returned 36 yards for a touchdown to put the Seminoles up 14 and past the favorite spread. While the final drive for the Eagles entered Florida State territory, no points were added in a game that featured barely 400 yards of combined total offense.
Wake Forest (-7) 17, Army 14: Wake Forest certainly had the edge moving the ball against Army, but the Demon Deacons failed to score in the first half and were tied 7-7 heading into the fourth quarter. Early in the final frame, Wake Forest pulled ahead 14-7 to get past the common spreads that climbed from -3 all the way to -7 by kickoff. Army missed a field goal on its next possession, but got another chance with the third Wake Forest interception of the game and using a short field the Knights tied the game. Wake Forest wound up kicking a game-winning field goal in the final seconds, but it was not enough to get past the number.
Ball State (-4½) 28, Eastern Michigan 17: Eastern Michigan stormed out to a 17-0 lead in this MAC matchup, but with two touchdown drives in the final five minutes of the first half, Ball State was within three. Neither team scored in the third quarter but Ball State completed a 20-play touchdown drive early in the fourth quarter to take its first lead 21-17, but still sat short of the road favorite spread. After forcing a punt Ball State went down the field again and cashed in to take an 11-point lead and the final three drives for Eastern Michigan ended with a missed field goal and two interceptions.
NC State (-17½) 38, Old Dominion 14: NC State wound up with a dominant yardage edge in this matchup, but it was a two-score game in the fourth quarter and the Wolfpack still sat short of the heavy road favorite spread after kicking a fourth quarter field goal. On a late possession, Old Dominion was pinned back deep and forced to punt, giving NC State good field position in the final minutes. With the outcome certainly decided, the Wolfpack punched in a touchdown with less than two minutes to go in the game to earn the favorite a fortunate cover.
Syracuse (-7½) 30, Central Michigan 27: Despite losing another quarterback to injury, Syracuse led Central Michigan by 14 at the half with the spread hovering in between -5 and -8½ throughout the week. Central Michigan put together a 94-yard drive early in the second half to get within seven and it seemed like that final margin would hold, but the Chippewas connected for a 27-yard touchdown pass with just seven seconds to go in the game to force overtime. Central Michigan had to settle for a field goal and the Orange escaped by punching in the touchdown, but the underdog certainly earned the cover with a massive yardage, first down, and time of possession edge in the game.
Miami, FL (-3) 36, Nebraska 33: Miami was favored by 3 much of the week, but the line did hit -3½ and -4 at a few points. It seemed unlikely to matter as the Hurricanes led by 20 entering the fourth quarter and settling for a short field goal early in the fourth made it a 23-point margin. Nebraska made an incredible comeback with three long scoring drives in the final nine minutes, converting twice on 2-point conversions to force the game into overtime. Seemingly with the momentum, Nebraska had the ball first but wound up with an interception on the first play. Miami only needed the easy three points to get the win and that is all they got to burn Canes backers in what looked like a sure-win most of the way.
Toledo (-7) 30, Iowa State 23: The statistics certainly favored Iowa State, but Toledo took a 10-point lead on a fumble recovery touchdown in the third quarter, getting past the favorite spread that was up to -8 much of the week. Iowa State tied the game in the fourth quarter and the Cyclones looked likely to cover after getting a field goal in the first overtime. Toledo had to match the kick and then put in a touchdown in the second session. Iowa State was stopped on four plays inside the Toledo 10 to end the game as the final margin wound up right at seven.
Memphis (-3½) 44, Bowling Green 41: This non-conference game looked like it would be a fun one to watch between high-scoring teams and it did not disappoint. Bowling Green led early in its home opener but the game was tied 34-34 late in the third quarter and 41-41 early in the fourth quarter as the teams traded touchdowns on pass plays of 94, 60, 62, and 48 yards. Things tightened up in the final 10 minutes with three punts and Memphis managing a field goal. Bowling Green was stopped on its final possession for a three-point loss with the final margin right near the road favorite spread which flipped between -3 and -3½ for Memphis most of the week.
Colorado (-3) 27, Colorado State 24: This rivalry game was one of the better games of the weekend as a hot start for Colorado State came undone and the game was tied 17-17 entering the fourth quarter. Colorado got a game-changing 60-yard interception return touchdown in the fourth quarter, but Colorado State regrouped and answered to tie the game with less than five minutes to go. Colorado missed a field goal as regulation expired and a try for the Rams to start overtime was blocked. Colorado was conservative on its possession and kicked a 32-yard field goal for the overtime win, landing right on the common number most of the week, though early in the week Colorado was -4.
Indiana (-3) 38, Western Kentucky 35: While those on Indiana had plenty of opportunities throughout the week to get a number below -3, this game wound up with a three-point margin. Indiana trailed by 11 at the half, but stormed back in the third quarter with three touchdowns in about a seven-minute span to take a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter. Western Kentucky scored with about six minutes to go to create the final three-point margin. In its final two drives, Indiana failed to add points going for it on 4th-and-4 from the Western Kentucky 13-yard line and then ended the game taking a knee at the Western Kentucky 2-yard line as the Hoosiers certainly had the opportunity for a more convincing result.
California (-5) 45, Texas 44: After falling behind by 10 points early, California scored 31 straight points to take a 45-24 lead into the fourth quarter. Texas made a valiant comeback as they still trailed by 14 until cashing a touchdown on a long run with just three minutes to go. The Longhorns forced a punt and scored again with just a minute to go, but incredibly missed on the extra-point, a boon for those taking the points but a sour ending for Cal backers who had minutes ago been sitting pretty and could have at least still had a shot in overtime.
UTEP (-3) 50, New Mexico State 47: For a program looking for any sort of positive momentum this was an absolutely crushing loss for New Mexico State and a very tough beat for those on the home underdog, though most wound up with a push. The Aggies led 30-16 heading into the fourth quarter and after UTEP scored to trim the margin to seven, an 82-yard touchdown drive with just over four minutes to go put the margin back at 14 points for the Aggies. UTEP answered quickly with a three-play touchdown drive and forced a punt. Starting from the two-yard line the Miners went the distance to force OT in the final minute. The Aggies could only get three going first in overtime and UTEP finished the comeback with a touchdown.
Iowa (-4) 27, Pittsburgh 24: This game was tied 17-17 after Pittsburgh rallied in the third quarter with a touchdown on a blocked punt. Iowa scored with six minutes to go to take a seven-point lead just past the home favorite spread, but Pittsburgh answered to tie the game with less than a minute on the clock. Iowa kicker Marshall Koehn was the hero with an impressive 57-yard boot as time expired to get the Hawkeyes the win, but not the cover.
Michigan State (-24½) 35, Air Force 21: Michigan State did get past the heavy favorite spread in the third quarter with a 35-7 lead, but Air Force scored the final two touchdowns of the game. The game could have been even closer as Air Force lost a second half fumble and had an interception deep in Michigan State territory as well with the underdog Falcons producing a decent yardage edge in the game.
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