One veteran coach, however, couldn't remember ever having a player make that same kind of mistake.

"There's a lot of pressure on those guys," said the coach. "Why do they play on that team? Because they've already given you the indication they can perform under pressure. Don't ever back up to catch the ball."

At the moment of truth, Bostick short-circuited. Should Slocum and veteran assistant Ron Zook have had him better prepared for that moment? That's for the head coach to decide.