Mike Sanford’s team wins on hidden ball trick

Former UNLV football coach Mike Sanford is a lunatic.

Only this time, I mean it in the most complimentary of ways.

Sanford is now head coach at Indiana State. After the Sycamores fell behind Missouri State 18-17 with 42 seconds remaining on Saturday, Sanford reached into his bag of mischief. Deep into his bag of mischief.

He called for the ol’ hidden ball trick.

That’s right. The hidden ball trick.

One of the Sycamores caught a short kickoff. Five other Sycamores gathered around him, forming a pile of Sycamores. Then one of the Sycamores in the pile took off running, broke two tackles and ran 32 yards, setting up a game-winning field goal.

The broken tackles were probably more crucial than the deception. Who cares? It was a heck of a play, and a crazy play, and the bottom line is that it worked.

Sanford has turned about the moribund ISU program in just two years. Last year, Indiana State went 1-11. After Saturday’s improbable 20-18 win, the Sycamores are 6-3, with several wins over ranked Football Championship Subdivision opponents.

Smoke, meet mirrors.