It seems it's that time of year when we debate the old question: "Should a team score all it can or should they back off and stop scoring"?
Let me discuss my perspective on that.
For many years, I worked on the football media guide (remember when it was printed?). I was responsible for stats and records, of course, under the direction of the Sports Information Director. Great job and lots of fun.
After many years of doing the above, I decided to wander away a bit and react to a subject that kept coming up. Is it better to score all you can or, in the name of good sportsmanship, should you back off?
To that end, I phoned 33 D3 coaches around the country. This was a mix of head coaches and assistant coaches. Maybe not exactly scientific but, I think, a reasonable effort.
I asked them if they thought a team should stop scoring, kick field goals, intentionally run out of bounds, take a knee, and the like.
Surprise, or maybe not, 30 coaches said it was a slap in the face. The message they got was that nothing they can do will stop you from scoring TDs, no matter who you have playing. Only 3 coaches thought it a sign of good sportsmanship.
How do you tell your backups not to score? These players represent the future varsity. Let them play. I remember some years back when a senior, playing one of his few times, was running to the end zone. No one was in front of him. He ran out of bounds inside the 10 yard line - as he was instructed to do. Hardly fair to the player.
Of course this discussion assumes certain conditions.
1. The starters produce a big score by halftime.
2. The second string starts the second half (what's the point of having the starters run one series?)
3. If the second string is scoring at will, put in the third string - whatever that is.
4. If that group still scores, put in the cheerleaders, trainers or whoever else you want. (I would be willing to run a series, if I can be QB!)
The bottom line, at least according to 30 of these coaches, is it's their job to stop you. If they can't, you'll put up a big score. It is not the job of your team to stop itself.
So there. Part survey results and part of my own thinking. Do with it what you will.
I have seen Chuck Moore take a knee on a kickoff return. I have seen top receivers make the catch and run out of bounds. I have watched linemen go off their blocks so a running back can be stopped.
Play the game! (OK, maybe if you hit 100 points you do something. Or do you?)
