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College Football

Amway Coach's Call of the Week: West Virginia's Dana Holgorsen wins the award

USA TODAY Sports

Coaches make dozens of decisions in every game. Most of them aren't that noticeable. Some of them very much are.

West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen looks at the scoreboard during the third quarter against Texas.

Some can change a game. Some are just thrilling to watch.

Each week this season, USA TODAY Sports will select four calls from across the nation that we think rank among the best for the Amway Coach's Call of the Week. 

We let you, the fans, decide which call from the four below had the most impact. Initial voting ended Monday. Two finalists were selected and the winner was decided voting on Facebook.

This week's winner: 

Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia

Fortune favors the bold. 

The Mountaineers could have opted for overtime against Texas by kicking an extra point after Will Grier hit Gary Jennings for a touchdown pass with 16 seconds left. But Holgorsen had other ideas. He was going for two and the win.

A late timeout by Texas wiped out what looked to be a successful conversion pass from Grier to David Sills. Holgorsen then changed his approach and had Grier run for the game-winning score.

This week's other nominees:

Brian Kelly, Notre Dame

One of the hardest things to do in football is run the ball when the opponent knows you are going to run the ball. The Irish were up four and faced a third-and-4 against Northwestern with just under three minutes remaining. Failure to pick up the first down would result in a field-goal attempt, giving the Wildcats an opportunity to win the game with a touchdown.

A perfectly called zone read by quarterback Ian Book instead put matters to rest. 

Gus Malzahn, Auburn

Sometimes the best passing plays don't come from the quarterback.

Jarrett Stidham took the snap for the Tigers, but lateraled to wide receiver Ryan Davis. The Texas A&M defense was fooled and allowed Sal Cannella to be wide open.

Davis found him, and Auburn took the lead en route to a defeat of the Aggies.

Matt Rhule, Baylor

Down by three with 11 seconds left on third down inside the opponent's 10-yard line can be a delicate situation. You want to try to get the winning touchdown, but don't want to blow the sure-fire field goal.

The Bears spread the field and then took advantage of man-to-man coverage on the outside. Charlie Brewer delivered the perfect back-shoulder throw to Denzel Mims to knock off Oklahoma State.

 

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