I think there was too much time left there to simply run HB dive 3 times, so I don’t mind passing on 3rd with 7 to go. 3rd down snap was around 3:50 or so, and Maryland had 2 timeouts plus the wind for their potential game tying FG. It’s an eternity in college football.
I think the better criticism would be that we should have tried a fade or something else less risky. Seems like play was drawn up to have Coleman clear his guy to the inside so that Kemp had room on the corner, but Coleman just took a really long time to make his move for some reason. Still up to QB to recognize that and not throw it.
If we go super conservative there and Maryland scores a TD or wins in OT fans are bitching just as much about playing not to lose instead of playing to win.