[stupac2]

I don't know about never, but 4th & <2 against a porous run defense like that absolutely NEVER.  UDFG's run defense will be a different challenge, but I think 4th & <2 will be ripe for play action against any future opponents.  Fake the Remound dive over the top and somebody is gonna be WIDE open.

Cal actually did a decent job defending those. Granted we converted all of them, IIRC, but some were really close. Then again, I believe that was a "4th and <1 yard" which you'd think would be automatic, so I was perplexed by punting there too. I guess Shaw figured we were the better team so no need to take risks, though as you say the way we were defending it didn't seem to matter much.

[stupac2]

I don't know about never, but 4th & <2 against a porous run defense like that absolutely NEVER.  UDFG's run defense will be a different challenge, but I think 4th & <2 will be ripe for play action against any future opponents.  Fake the Remound dive over the top and somebody is gonna be WIDE open.

Cal actually did a decent job defending those. Granted we converted all of them, IIRC, but some were really close. Then again, I believe that was a "4th and <1 yard" which you'd think would be automatic, so I was perplexed by punting there too. I guess Shaw figured we were the better team so no need to take risks, though as you say the way we were defending it didn't seem to matter much.