GLENDALE, Ariz. — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney called the fake punt in a sideline huddle. “UConn,” so-named because upback Christian Wilkins, the 300-pound freshman who would be on the receiving end of such a fateful play went to a Connecticut prep school.
Swinney called the play casually. Go-out-there-and-kick-it casual. So casual, it didn't even dawn on punter Andy Teasdall that he was about to throw an Orange Bowl pass. Didn't dawn on Teasdall that he was about to enter the spotlight for a second straight game on Clemson's path to the national championship game.
Teasdall took the punt snap, drifted right and you didn't know if he was going to rugby-kick or had again lost his mind.