Trick pass play with C.J. Uzomah snuffed out again

TAMPA -- In need of a big play on third down Gus Malzahn tried to get tricky.

For the second time this season, his opponent was ready.

Facing third-and-12 from Wisconsin's 27-yard line in overtime, Nick Marshall passed to C.J. Uzomah, who then threw it back to Marshall, who was chased out of bounds after losing a yard on the ill-advised call.

"We were thinking we could possibly get man (coverage)," Malzahn said. "We were trying to win the game; we'd been setting it up earlier. Sometimes it'll work. Sometimes they don't. Obviously we weren't very successful on that play."

Auburn lost the game a play later when Daniel Carlson's 45-yard field goal attempt hit off the right upright to give Wisconsin a 34-31 overtime win in the Outback Bowl.

Auburn (8-5) went to Uzomah once before on a designed pass play against Mississippi State, who forced Uzomah to run for a 1-yard gain on a roll out play on third-and-goal.

Uzomah, who had a 20-yard touchdown catch, said he practiced Thursday's play "at least 300 times" but the Badgers were ready.

"I caught it, saw two defenders out there, still put it in a position where Nick could potentially make a play," Uzomah said. "They just kind of got us on that play. … I probably, honestly, could have taken off and ran with it."

Renowned for his trick plays, Malzahn was unusually conservative this season and when he did, it was at times that were of questionable strategy.

Uzomah felt the defense "kind of knew" what was coming.

"Maybe with the alignment, certain splits and stuff like that, that kind of is a funky formation," he said. "I think the outside linebacker, I saw him as (Brandon Fulse) was motioning out, I saw him kind of soft play it. I saw him come in a little bit but I think he kind of knew so I think that's why some of these plays haven't (worked out)."