Explanations are supposed to explain.

I know, I know.

That's a rather basic premise.

But it's relevant because Marshall coach Mark Snyder's explanation of two controversial plays that led to the Herd's stunning 21-20 loss to UCF Sunday didn't actually explain anything.

First, let's address Marshall's kickoff after taking a 20-7 lead with 3:25 remaining in the third quarter. Instead of having kicker Craig Ratanamorn boot it as far as possible, the Herd brain trust opted for a "pooch kick."

And the "pooch kick" ended up biting Marshall exactly where a pooch would.

The "pooch kick" led to poor field position for Marshall which led to a short field for UCF which led to a Golden Knights touchdown.

All because of the nonsensical "pooch kick."

So, what was Marshall's explanation for this special teams strategy?

"What happened a couple of times before that was they got the ball at the 40, anyway," said Snyder during the Conference USA coaches teleconference Monday. "We were trying to keep the ball out of the playmaker's hands back there.

"We felt like the pooch kick was there and we covered it pretty well."

Sorry, but that explanation doesn't add up.

For starters, Ratanamorn's previous four kickoffs had reached the goal line, 10-yard line, 10-yard line and end zone for a touchback. UCF's returns gave the Knights possession at the 25-yard line, 28, 39 and the 20.

Only one kick return reached the vicinity of the 40-yard line, not the "couple of times" Snyder referenced. In fact, the previous kickoff had resulted in a touchback.

Furthermore, the "playmaker" Snyder referred to, UCF freshman Quincy McDuffie, had returned two kickoffs for an average of just 21.5 yards. That shouldn't have been scary enough to spook the Herd into a "pooch kick."

Then, there's the difficult to fathom situation that led to UCF quarterback Brett Hodges throwing a ridiculously easy 1-yard touchdown pass to Rocky Ross for the game-winning score with 23 seconds remaining.

Although Marshall had taken a timeout to set its defense, when the Herd lined up Ross was left uncovered. No Marshall defender took him.

So, what was Marshall's explanation for this 11-on-10 matchup stratagem?

"We were in goal-line defense and they came out in a different formation," said Snyder. "We took one of our cornerbacks out of the game and put an extra defensive lineman in the game. We couldn't get adjusted to it and (Hodges) made a good throw."

The mind boggles.

Why didn't Marshall call a timeout when it noticed Ross was uncovered? If no coach on the sideline realized it, why didn't one of the coaches in the press box inform the sideline through their headsets?

After all, Marshall did have two timeouts.

Furthermore, why did Marshall's coaches assume UCF was going to run the ball? There were only 26 seconds remaining and UCF was out of timeouts. Yet, the Herd replaced a defensive back with a lineman.

And it played right into UCF coach George O'Leary's hands.

"I was worried about running it and not making it and the clock," said O'Leary.

UCF had no intention of running the ball. Marshall's coaches should have realized that. But they didn't.

The bottom line is several bad coaching moves and non-moves by Marshall handed UCF a win.

There is no other explanation.

Chuck Landon is a sports columnist for The Herald-Dispatch. Call him at 304-526-2827. E-mail him at clandon@herald-dispatch.com.

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