We haven’t touched on this, apart from a brief give-and-go during the in-game post. I think any football fan is opinionated and intrigued about trick plays and, if nothing else, Jeff Mullen has given plenty in that arena.

He’s explained to me in the past his trick play philosophy — in involves field position, momentum, proximity to a turnover and likelihood a defense will take the bait for one play and fall for the trick play — and it was pretty much satisfied by the conditions preceding the hook-and-lateral Thursday.

Except field position. You generally see tricks between the 40-yard lines and the exceptions would be things like double reverses that can fit anywhere or tackle-eligibles that work near the goal line.

But a hook-and-lateral at the opponent’s 7? Allow Jeff Mullen to explain. (No link. Can’t find it online and the office had serious, serious web issues Thursday and Friday):

Offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen called the play, but gave credit to running backs/slot receivers coach Chris Beatty.

“We’ve been running that play a couple years,” Mullen said. “We ran it at Auburn last year and gained minimum yardage. We ran it in the Meineke Car Care Bowl and didn’t gain anything. It’s always been in the playbook.

“Coach Beatty is in charge of when we get into the score zone and for two years I’ve always wanted to bring that play in and he goes, ‘Coach, that play doesn’t work. We can’t call that play.’ He comes in after his tape study this week and says, ‘We’ve got to call that play. It’s going to work.’ I said, ‘Do what?’ That’s the first time in three years he said, ‘Coach, we’ve got to call that play.’”

Who knew! And that’s not even my favorite part of that. I love the way the play was recorded — and how the stats were repeatedly botched by some people trying to fit it into their stories. It is a little, well, tricky.

Jock Sanders was credited with a reception for a 4-yard loss. (He ended up with 1o catches for 31 yards.)

Noel Devine was given an 11-yard touchdown reception, but no actual reception. He caught a 1-yard pass earlier and his final stats were 1 reception, 12 yards (long on 1 yard), 1 TD.

Eu Smith’s second touchdown pass of the game was recorded as a 7-yard play.