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Poor sportsmanship? Cincinnati’s fake punt in blowout vs. ECU leads to lengthy postgame conversation between head coaches
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During the game between Cincinnati and East Carolina, the Bearcats were running away with the game when they decided to call a fake punt. The game was already basically over at that point (42-10 Cincinnati) and they ended up converting on it.
Cincinnati eventually won the game 55-17 but not before Bearcats coach Luke Fickell and Pirates coach Mike Houston had a lengthy chat on the field after the game:
Cincinnati's and East Carolina's head coaches had a lengthy exchange after the Bearcats ran the score up to 55-17 in the final minutes. pic.twitter.com/shmABfqiSD
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 14, 2020
When Houston was asked after the game what the chat was about, he declined to say:
"That's between us (the conversation with #Cincinnati Head Coach Luke Fickell at the end of the game)" #ECU Football Head Coach Mike Houston.
Hear what the fans said about it on the 5th Quarter Call-in Show archived now on #YouTube – https://t.co/ZY6eK2gTwK… https://t.co/RJvdJwcl1z
— Pirate Radio ☠️ (@PR927FM) November 14, 2020
As for Luke Fickell, he issued an apology to Houston for the fake punt:
Luke Fickell: “Quick apology to coach Houston. 42-10 and we had a fake punt. It wasn’t exactly something we planned or called. But would not want to do it in that situation. It is what it is, but you can’t take it back."
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) November 14, 2020
Other coaches wouldn’t have done a fake punt in that situation but if someone is that mad about it, don’t get blown out during the game.
Cincinnati’s next game will be against UCF next Saturday while East Carolina gets Temple.