Seven Game Maxims-Purdue vs Wisconsin

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 is 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 game played between Purdue and Wisconsin on October 18, 2003 will show how the Game Maxims held up.

No. 1-MISTAKES: Wisconsin lost all of its three fumbles and threw an interception. Purdue had one interception out of 55 passes thrown.

No.2-BREAKS: Purdue scored two touchdowns in the opening 10 minutes off turnovers. The Boilermakers scored after intercepting a pass and then recovered a Wisconsin fumble and marched 70 yards to make it 14-0.

No.3-DON’T LET UP: Wisconsin, down by two scores early, regrouped to cut the margin to 14-13 and but for a missed extra point, would have tied the game.

No.4-PROTECT YOUR KICKER, YOUR QB, AND YOUR LEAD: Once ahead, Purdue never trailed. Wisconsin managed to tie late but never was able to take the lead. The Boilermakers protected for their quarterback more efficiently. Purdue’s quarterback was sacked 7 times in 55 attempts; the Badgers were sacked 7 times in just 18 attempts. Purdue did not throw an interception although it put the ball up 55 times. The Boilermakers held strong for a game winning field goal.

No.5-OSKIE AND GANG TACKLE: It was a Purdue interception return that led them to the early lead and aggressive tackling and pursuit that allowed Wisconsin just 97 yards rushing on 34 attempts.

No.6-PRESS THE KICKING GAME: Purdue ended the scoring in the first half, began the scoring in the second half, and ended the scoring and the game with successful field goal attempts. Wisconsin tied the game with a 63 yard punt return for a score near game’s end before Purdue kicked the winning field goal with three seconds left.

No.7-CARRY THE FIGHT: Both teams played hard right to the end. The Badgers came back from down 14, the Boilermakers overcame the late punt return by Wisconsin, and Purdue marched down the field to kick the game winning field goal at game’s end.

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