10.21.2007

BET ON KENTUCKY? DON'T JUMP!

You know that commercial where the dad is running along the sidewalk, when suddenly he breaks down crying and The Voice comes on to say, “Don’t Gamble Your Life Away”?

Well did anyone else think of that commercial after watching the conclusion of yesterday’s Kentucky-Florida game, in which Kentucky scored a TD at the gun but didn't kick the extra point?

Final score: Florida 45, Kentucky 37.

Line: Kentucky +7.

Yoinks.

Well due to some outstanding report from the L.A. Times’ Peter Yoon, we know the reaction:

A new, but obscure college football rule caused some confusion and uproar in Las Vegas on Saturday after Florida defeated Kentucky, 45-37, barely covering the seven-point spread.

Kentucky scored a touchdown on the game's final play, yet rather than attempt an extra point, the Wildcats, following an NCAA rule put in play last season, walked off the field while the Gators celebrated.

The rule states that "if a touchdown is scored during a down in which time in the fourth period expires, the try shall not be attempted unless the point(s) would affect the outcome of the game."

Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said Kentucky backers thought they were going to get a push, and Florida supporters started to deflate.

"That all quickly changed when the crowd began to realize the rule," Kornegay told the Associated Press.

"The reversal of fortune happened within just a few seconds. It was priceless."


We're glad the guy running the sports book takes comfort in situations that could lead to multiple suicides. Only in Vegas.

As the leading conspiracy theorists in sports (says who? we do, that's who...), we'd like to point out that Urban Cryer sprinted across the field as soon as Kentucky scored, confusing Old Man River Rich Brooks and eventually resulting in the 8-point lead. Coincidence, or is Meyer the new Pete Rose?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Meyer *has* to be aware of the number.

Two years ago in Commonwealth Stadium:

UF races to a 49-7 lead over the Wildcats. In come the backups, and at some point in the 4th quarter, Kentucky closes to 49-28.

The line? 21.5.

Back in comes Chris Leak and the rest of the starters, with Meyer trying to get another score. They don't, and UK gets the backdoor cover.