re: The impact of the opening fumble is understated

quote:

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Has anyone figured out why Bech was initially set up on the right side of the field (near student section) & switched to the left side & couldn’t get to the ball in time?

Switch happens at 2:21 in the video. Right before this BK was telling Bech to line up on the 5yd line on right side of field. Coaches screwed this up

That fumble seems like a complete coaching mishap on Polian (again). Did he not know which side they were kicking the ball to after choosing to receive the ball on opening kickoff?

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I think it is a simple as they wanted Bech to receive the kick and when Tennessee had to have someone hold the ball on the tee (because of the wind) it may have dictated to which side they were kicking.

Frankly, it looks like the coaching actually got the guy they wanted to field the kick in position to catch what they assumed was going to be a shorter kick (because it was into the wind)...he just doinked it off his chest. A coach can only put the guy they want in the position they want. The player is the one who has to execute.