Seven Game Maxims (Colts-Bucs)

General Robert Neyland first introduced the “Seven Game Maxims” to his University of Tennessee Volunteer football team in the 1930’s and many high schools and colleges are still using them seventy years later. Restated over and over throughout the season as a method of reminding players what they have to do to win, they are:

1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
2. Play for and make the breaks. When one comes your way, score.
3. If at first the breaks or the game go against you, don’t let up. Put on more steam.
4. Protect your kicker, your quarterback, and your lead.
5. Oskie. Aggressively pursue the ball and yell “Oskie” when you intercept it. Block and gang tackle for this the winning edge.
6. Press the kicking game for it is here that the breaks are made.
7. Carry the fight to your opponent and leave it there for the whole game.

A closer look at the Indianapolis Colts-Tampa Bay Bucs game on Monday Night Football, Oct. 6th, 2003, will show how the Seven Game Maxims held up.

MISTAKES: The types of mistakes normally associated with losing, i.e., interceptions and lost fumbles, played a minor role. Far more damaging were two penalties against the Bucs, one for roughing the passer in the fourth quarter, and another which allowed the Colts an extra 45 seconds when a dead ball taunting penalty gave Indianapolis an unintended time out just before the two-minute warning when they had none left.

BREAKS: Indianapolis got the break of the game when Tampa Bay was penalized 15 yards for “leaping” on a missed Colts field goal in overtime. The Colts converted on the re-kick to win.

DON’T LET UP: Down 21-0 at the half and 35-14 with less than four minutes to go, the Colts rode the arm of Peyton Manning to victory in overtime in the biggest late fourth-quarter comeback in the history of the NFL.

PROTECT YOUR QB, YOUR KICKER, AND YOUR LEAD: Manning was 34-47 (72%) and got great protection when everybody knew he had to pass. The Colts held firm for their kicker to win the game in overtime. The Bucs had the lead for all but 35 seconds of regulation but weren’t able to hold it.

OSKIE: Both teams had one pass intercepted, but with very different results. Tampa Bay’s interception was returned for a touchdown by the Bucs after the Colt defensive back fumbled. The Colts’ pick was returned for a score by the Bucs to put them up 35-14 with a little under five minutes to play.

PRESS THE KICKING GAME: It was a 92 yard kickoff return by the Colts that opened the door to the fourth quarter comeback. Indianapolis had 182 yards on kickoff returns to the Bucs’ 93, and averaged 52 yards a punt to Tampa Bay’s 41.

CARRY THE FIGHT FOR THE WHOLE GAME: No team in the 81 year history of the NFL has ever done what the Colts did to Tampa Bay. Tony Dungy’s calming influence, Peyton Manning’s rifle arm, and Marvin Harrison’s speedy legs have raised the fourth quarter comeback bar so high it may never be equalled.

Jim Reese was a quarterback and assistant coach at the University of Minnesota. He is now retired and lives in Tampa, Florida, where he reports on sports for a local newspaper. Jim writes for the CompuSports Network search sites periodically, sharing the wisdom he has gained during his career in coaching.

Learn about and download Jim’s eBook, How to Win at Flag Football