BYU's fake punt panned, but Kalani Sitake scores points with Boise State fans

Published: Oct 21, 2016, 2:45 p.m. MDT

Brigham Young head coach Kalani Sitake reacts to a call during the first half of an NCAA football game between Boise State and Brigham Young in Boise on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. Nick Wagner, Deseret News

By Lafe Peavler

BYU's 28-27 loss to Boise State was full of some of the wackiest moments you'll see in a college football game, and folks on social media were all over every wild and weird moment.

Let's start with BYU's decision to go for a fake punt on 4th-and-19 from their own end zone:

VIDEO: BYU commits crime against football with incredibly futile fake punt https://t.co/jhk5cFbGfX pic.twitter.com/BUW0207b8I
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) October 21, 2016

BYU’s fake punt try on 4th-and-19 from its own 5 last night might be the worst play-call I think I’ve ever seen: https://t.co/dQ6yP34fnf
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 21, 2016

And of course Boise State misses the ensuing 30-yard field goal, meaning BYU's disastrous fake punt does not cost the Cougars at all
— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) October 21, 2016

Fake punt from the 5... unsportsmanlike penalty... defensive stop... missed FG. All part of #BYU's plan. 😎 #BYUSN
— Spencer Linton (@Spencer_Linton) October 21, 2016

Not only that, the fake punt made it on ESPN's Not Top 10 at No. 3. Here's the video:

https://youtu.be/LlVSi7qtPgE?t=2m6sThat wasn't the only unpopular coaching decision of the night. BYU's decision to kick a field goal on second down with 15 seconds to go rather than try to pick up a few more yards was also universally panned:

BYU did it all tonight, fake punt on 4th & 19 at their own 1, then they try a game winning FG on 2nd down with 15 seconds left...amazing.
— BeatinTheBookie.com®️ (@BeatinTheBookie) October 21, 2016

Sitake made some bad calls this game... love him, but kicking a FG with 15 seconds left? Common... BYU blew this one, 100% on offense.
— BYU for the W (@BYUinsider) October 21, 2016

https://twitter.com/THESethHughes/status/789351126705602560

I don't understand why BYU kicked a 44 yd potential game winning field goal on 2nd down with 15 seconds left.
— Tommy. (@DOPEISTOM) October 21, 2016

I feel like BYU is better than 4-4 but I also wonder if its coach is using a dartboard for some of his decisions.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 21, 2016

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Another thing you might have missed was what US Senator Orrin Hatch's official office Twitter account had this to say about Boise State's field:

It's impressive that BYU has kept the game this close despite Boise State's very clear camouflage advantage. #BYUvsBSU
— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) October 21, 2016

Perhaps this is Hatch trying to get the BYU vote in a possible reelection bid two years from now?

Finally, while some of Kalani Sitake's coaching moves were questionable, his sportsmanship after the game with Boise State fans was amazing:

End of game in the south EZ, BSU fans mocking BYU players as they walk in the tunnel. Kalani stops, walks over, shakes hands & talks to them
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) October 21, 2016

He's one of my absolute favorite guys in the industry. BYU fans should feel fortunate to have him. None better.
— Nate Stoddart (@nstod) October 21, 2016

BYU's head coach is pure class. Came and talked to fans before the game, even spoke to us BSU fans.
— Josh Davies (@daviesinator) October 21, 2016

I was taken back. He actually made small talk with my group and thanked me for coming out to the game. Really nice dude
— Ravishing Ryan Moser 🐴🏆 (@ryanmoser497) October 21, 2016

I can’t help but like Sitake. He’s brought a new, cleaner energy to the BYU football program.
— Chase Glorfield (@Chase_Glorfield) October 21, 2016

Lafe Peavler is a sports strategist for the Deseret News and KSL.com. Follow him on Twitter @LafePeavler.

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