[Spiny_Norman]

Coach Shaw may have been playing the percentages, but I still think he missed a key consideration if he did not gauge the mental readiness of his kicker.  Coach Shaw placed the game on the foot of a kicker who had never attempted a FG in a game where Stanford was behind or tied.  The most "pressured" kick was with a 7 point lead already at home against Cal and 3 minutes to play.  I have read accounts that described Williamson on the sidelines as "deer-in-headlights" and "appeared to be hyperventilating."  If he had any doubts about the readiness of his kicker to win the game, Coach Shaw should have used the clock to move the ball closer and make it as easy as possible.  I wish that the media would challenge him just a little so that we could understand what was going through his head during the final minute of regulation. 

Even so, I also watched the team finish its on-field drills before the game.  The last thing that the team did before returning to the locker room was gather under the goal post as the snapper, holder and kicker attempt a PAT and then a 35 yard FG.  To my observation in the upper deck to the side of the end zone, Williamson nailed it.

[Spiny_Norman]

Coach Shaw may have been playing the percentages, but I still think he missed a key consideration if he did not gauge the mental readiness of his kicker.  Coach Shaw placed the game on the foot of a kicker who had never attempted a FG in a game where Stanford was behind or tied.  The most "pressured" kick was with a 7 point lead already at home against Cal and 3 minutes to play.  I have read accounts that described Williamson on the sidelines as "deer-in-headlights" and "appeared to be hyperventilating."  If he had any doubts about the readiness of his kicker to win the game, Coach Shaw should have used the clock to move the ball closer and make it as easy as possible.  I wish that the media would challenge him just a little so that we could understand what was going through his head during the final minute of regulation. 

Even so, I also watched the team finish its on-field drills before the game.  The last thing that the team did before returning to the locker room was gather under the goal post as the snapper, holder and kicker attempt a PAT and then a 35 yard FG.  To my observation in the upper deck to the side of the end zone, Williamson nailed it.