In a recent football game, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal made a decision that will forever be remembered as one of the biggest coaching blunders in recent memory.
Despite having a comfortable lead, he chose to run the ball instead of kneeling, ultimately leading to a shocking comeback victory for Georgia Tech.
With just 1:18 remaining in the game and the Miami Hurricanes leading 20-17, the Yellow Jackets called their final timeout.
At this point, all the Hurricanes needed were two kneel downs to secure the victory and move to a 5-0 record.
However, the unexpected happened when coach Cristobal decided to call for a run by Donald Chaney Jr., resulting in a gain of only two yards.
Facing a crucial 3rd and 10 with only 33 seconds left, a quarterback kneel down would have undoubtedly sealed the victory for Miami.
Instead, Cristobal once again opted for a Chaney run, which Tim Hasselbeck, the commentator on ESPN"s ACC Network, instantly recognized as a mistake.
"Just take a knee. You should not be handing this football off," Hasselbeck said as the Miami offense lined up. "I don’t know what Miami is doing."
ESPN’s Tim Hasselbeck met the moment ripping Miami’s Mario Cristobal in real time https://t.co/jUNelhRFpG pic.twitter.com/T2zWTPw9Az
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 8, 2023
As predicted, the ill-fated decision led to disaster. Chaney ran for four yards but subsequently fumbled the ball, allowing Georgia Tech"s Kyle Kennard to recover it.
The hearts of Miami fans sank as they watched their lead slip away due to an unnecessary gamble.
While commentating on the game, Tim Hasselbeck"s frustration and disappointment were evident. His palpable disgust mirrored that of Miami fans worldwide.
"You should not be running the football," the former NFL quarterback said. "You should be taking a knee. As soon as [Miami] got that first down, [Georgia Tech] used that last timeout. As long as you milk it all the way down, you don’t need to be doing this and you certainly don’t need to be fighting for extra yards."
One of the worst losses in CFB history.
Part 1: Leading 20-17 with 35 seconds left, Miami had the ball. Georgia Tech did not have a time-out. One kneel down was all Miami needed to win the game.
Instead, the Hurricanes run a play. GT forces and recovers a fumble. pic.twitter.com/DTxSKolyX7
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 8, 2023
Tim Hasselbeck"s commentary during the game stood out as he openly criticized Cristobal"s decision-making in real time.
"I’m going to say it, it needs to be said: that’s one of the biggest coaching mistakes at this level that I have ever seen in my lifetime," Hasselbeck said. "You should not be running the football. You run the football, fumble and give up a score. That is devastating for a 4-0 Miami team to get their first loss of the season on a sequence like that."
One of the worst losses in CFB history.
Part 1: Leading 20-17 with 35 seconds left, Miami had the ball. Georgia Tech did not have a time-out. One kneel down was all Miami needed to win the game.
Instead, the Hurricanes run a play. GT forces and recovers a fumble. pic.twitter.com/DTxSKolyX7
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 8, 2023
