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Virginia Cavaliers' Head Coach Mike London Explains Non-Use of Time Outs Near End of Virginia Tech Hokies' Win

Virginia Cavaliers' Head Coach Mike London has been criticized all season for his game management skills. With the game all tied up and the seconds winding down in the annual rivalry game against the Hokies, London decides to play for overtime rather than give his offense another go.

By Brian J. Leung
Geoff Burke

With Virginia Tech looking at a chip shot field goal opportunity on a tie ball game with over a minute to go, theVirginia Cavaliers had two time outs but failed to use either to save any time for their offense. Instead, UVA's Chris Brathwaithe, who had been injured on what could be interpreted as a dirty chop block earlier in the quarter, aggravated his knee and the Hoos got a free stop to think through their options.

The clock began ticking again starting at 50, and for inexplicable reasons, Virginia Head Coach Mike London did not call either of his two time outs to stop the clock. Instead, the Hokies were able to wind the clock down to 0:04 before calling a time out of their own.

London would use both his time outs to attempt to ice the kicker, despite the Hokies' Cody Journell having built a reputation for being clutch in the moment. The kick was an easy 29-yard attempt lined up straight down the middle. The Hokies would nail the field goal and win the game, 17-14, in Blacksburg.

Following the game, London was asked to explain his decision and thought process in the post-game media conference. Thanks to Michael Phillips (@michaelpRTD) of the Richmond Times-Dispatch for uploading this sound bite, which purports to offer an explanation.

What do you think, Virginia fans? Can there be any explanation for that call?

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