Dan Mullen criticized on social media for decision to burn timeout on 2-point conversion
Florida looked dead to rights at halftime trailing No. 1 Alabama 35-17. The Gators, however, didn’t give up and outscored the Crimson Tide in the second half 29-17.
The UF defense struggled mightily in the first half but tightened up in the second half. Florida got the ball back with 16 seconds left but no timeouts. The Gators could have had the ball with more time if Dan Mullen had not used it for a two-point attempt on UF’s final touchdown.
Mullen’s decision to use the timeout for the two-point play instead of saving it for either Alabama or Florida’s next possession was heavily criticized on social media.
Here’s a sample of the tweets:
If he had a minute left. Yes. This is on Mullen https://t.co/yivoBGoaaO
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) December 20, 2020
Again. Mullen blew Florida’s chance at winning this game with that decision to waste a T.O. Not that he would give a reason, but no excuse can explain that decision. Inexplicable
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) December 20, 2020
Why call the timeout Dan????? Baffling
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) December 20, 2020
So Florida could of had around a minute left had Mullen not completely wasted that TO. That is an inexcusable decision
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) December 20, 2020
They called a TO for the PAT? You get paid like 5 million a year. Why would you not kick this?????????
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) December 20, 2020
Why did Mullen take the timeout for the 2 pt play …
:26 seconds on the clock vs 1:06 to go win it.
— Jake Ganus (@jakeganus) December 20, 2020
So… Florida coulda got the ball back down 7 with a minute plus left if Mullen doesn’t call a timeout for a pointless 2 point conversion. Let’s talk about it. A lot
— ken drippy jr (@lilcojonez) December 20, 2020
Dan Mullen might be the worst time management coach in NCAAF history. I agree with going for 2, but wasting a timeout for it killed our only realistic chance of winning.
— Matthew Fernandez (@matthewfdz) December 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/SPMAnino/status/1340522916669210626
Who the hell takes a timeout on an untimed down. Take the kick, save the timeout, then go for 2. Can’t get time back. Mullen constantly makes the worst decisions in the big games. So tired of it.
— Gator Sunshine and Blues (@gator_and) December 20, 2020
Mullen out coached himself on that 2 point play. You give up a timeout and 40 secs on the clock to get 1 more point because "you were gonna go for 2 and the win if you score again?" Doesn't make sense I'd rather have the 40 secs you would have gained with the timeout.
— Jeff Jordan (@CoachJordan85) December 20, 2020
I am a big fan of Dan Mullen but I don’t understand how you think to use a timeout to go for a two point conversation in that spot.
I’d rather take the penalty than lose a timeout. I don’t understand that.
— John Miceli (@JohnAMiceli) December 20, 2020
Dan Mullen is a great coach. Not elite. I am not saying he can’t become an elite level coach. His clock management at the end of the first half(not using more play clock) then using a timeout for a 2 pt play came back to bite us.
— Josh Pospy (@jrpospy) December 20, 2020
Happy with the fight from Gators. Mullen clock management and wasting a timeout is pretty frustrating.
— Lance L (@LRLarimer) December 20, 2020
Until Dan Mullen decided to waste a timeout on a two point try, I agree
— Joseph Campbell (@jcampbell46549) December 20, 2020
So what if Dan Mullen decided not to be a psycho and kick the Extra Point, keep his timeout… Idiot
— Renaud Gaboury (@GabzNasty) December 20, 2020
Dan Mullen calling a timeout on an untimed down, to go for two because “Analytics” lost the SEC championship for Florida.
— D (@JDTT51) December 20, 2020
Dan Mullen’s boneheaded decision to waste a timeout to go for a pointless 2-point conversion just ruined any chance we had… what a disappointment.
— Shawn Steers (@shawnsteers) December 20, 2020
