Dashing through the snow: Inside Minnesota State Mankato's record 27-play drive
"In whiteout conditions with its season on the line Minnesota State Mankato called 26 consecutive runs, followed by a 5-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal.
The No. 1 team in Division II trailed by 10 points in a playoff game Saturday when it got the ball at its own 3-yard line, with snow falling so heavily that players couldn’t see the opposite end of the field.
Minnesota State Mankato football coach Todd Hoffner told his offensive coordinator to run the ball. No-brainer.
The Mavericks ran it. Then ran it again. And again. And again.
“We kept running and running,” Hoffner said. “Next thing you know, we’re in the end zone.”
The drive lasted 27 plays — 26 consecutive runs, followed by a 5-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal. Time of possession: 12 minutes, 9 seconds.
Twenty … seven … plays.
In one possession. In whiteout conditions. With their season on the line.
The Mavericks rode that remarkable drive that started early in the third quarter and lasted into the fourth to a 13-10 comeback victory over Tarleton (Texas) State to advance to the semifinals. The Mavericks play host to No. 2 Ferris State on Saturday in a clash of undefeated powerhouses, with the winner advancing to the DII championship game Dec. 15 in McKinney, Texas.
The drive that kept their season alive goes down as one for the ages.
“I’ve been involved with college football teams for 30 years, and I’ve never heard of that,” Hoffner said.
Nobody has. An NCAA spokesman said the 27-play drive is believed to be the longest on record in college football history for any level classification (FBS, FCS, DII or DIII).
A 27-play drive without a single penalty is the football equivalent of spotting Bigfoot. It almost seems mathematically impossible, considering the field is 100 yards in length..."
http://www.startribune.com/dashing-...ate-mankato-s-record-27-play-drive/501944941/
"In whiteout conditions with its season on the line Minnesota State Mankato called 26 consecutive runs, followed by a 5-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal.
The No. 1 team in Division II trailed by 10 points in a playoff game Saturday when it got the ball at its own 3-yard line, with snow falling so heavily that players couldn’t see the opposite end of the field.
Minnesota State Mankato football coach Todd Hoffner told his offensive coordinator to run the ball. No-brainer.
The Mavericks ran it. Then ran it again. And again. And again.
“We kept running and running,” Hoffner said. “Next thing you know, we’re in the end zone.”
The drive lasted 27 plays — 26 consecutive runs, followed by a 5-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal. Time of possession: 12 minutes, 9 seconds.
Twenty … seven … plays.
In one possession. In whiteout conditions. With their season on the line.
The Mavericks rode that remarkable drive that started early in the third quarter and lasted into the fourth to a 13-10 comeback victory over Tarleton (Texas) State to advance to the semifinals. The Mavericks play host to No. 2 Ferris State on Saturday in a clash of undefeated powerhouses, with the winner advancing to the DII championship game Dec. 15 in McKinney, Texas.
The drive that kept their season alive goes down as one for the ages.
“I’ve been involved with college football teams for 30 years, and I’ve never heard of that,” Hoffner said.
Nobody has. An NCAA spokesman said the 27-play drive is believed to be the longest on record in college football history for any level classification (FBS, FCS, DII or DIII).
A 27-play drive without a single penalty is the football equivalent of spotting Bigfoot. It almost seems mathematically impossible, considering the field is 100 yards in length..."
http://www.startribune.com/dashing-...ate-mankato-s-record-27-play-drive/501944941/
