Overtime

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The Muhlenberg football team opened its season with an overtime game against Delaware Valley last Saturday. If the game had been played by NFL rules, the Mules would have won, since they scored first. But in college each team gets a chance, and the Aggies scored on the final play to win. We asked a few of the Muhlenberg players if they preferred the college rule or the NFL rule, and here’s what they had to say:

MJ Rus, fullback (scored Mules’ touchdown in overtime)

Even though it’s hard not to have some biases towards wishing for an NFL-style OT after this weekend’s loss, I actually think the NCAA format is a lot better. It makes for a more suspenseful finish, and as we saw, it requires both teams to be successful in multiple facets of the game, namely both offense and defense. With the NFL-style OT, although it recently changed so that a game cannot be won on a field goal, it doesn’t allow for both teams to have a level playing field and often can be decided by the coin toss. With giving both teams a shot from the 25-yard line, it forces both teams to perform at a high level when pressure’s heavy and the slightest mistake or big play can mean the game. Overall, although I obviously wish for a better outcome from this past weekend’s game, I think it is a much better format for OT and is a better measure of who deserves to win.

Andy Curley, linebacker

I like our college overtime rule. It gives both teams an opportunity to play both offense and defense; whereas, the classic sudden death NFL overtime rule might prevent one team from playing their offense or defense (if a team scores on their first drive). Furthermore, our college overtime rule places both teams within scoring range (on the 25-yard line), which is beneficial in a defensive struggle like ours on Saturday where neither team could score or move into scoring range. This startingĀ field placementĀ can bring a quick end to a long game where players were already starting to cramp up and getting too fatigued to continue playing.
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Chris Hartzell, cornerback (Mules’ 2010 special teams MVP)

In my opinion the way college overtime is set up is exactly the way it should be. I actually wish the NFL did it the same way. It allows both teams to have a chance to win and put both their offense and defense back on the field for a last opportunity. It doesn’t bother me that special teams is taken out of the equation because even though it is a huge part of the game, overtime is a test of your team’s offense and defense and how they can withhold another series when everyone is fatigued.

Andrew Onimus, safety (special teams MVP of DelVal game)

Personally, I love the overtime rule in college, and I know just talking with some of my teammates this past Saturday on the sideline that they agree. I feel that the college rule makes the most sense because it gives theĀ offense and defenseĀ from both teams the chance to take the field and battle for the win. To me, the NFL rule is not fair. I also think that the college rule puts muchĀ more pressure on the coaches, which I like. There is more strategy in college. For example, a coach has to make the tough decision of whether or not to trust the defense and/or kickerĀ and kick a field goal on fourth down from the 12. Or maybe the coach is a risk taker and has that special “play” set up like Boise State did a few years back against Oklahoma. As for the special teams aspect, I feel that the game should come down to offense vs. defense so it does not bother me at all. Overall, I think the college overtime rule is one of the best in sports. Pure excitement.