At Boston College, Tom O’Brien was known for his conservative, boring, even predictable play-calling.

He must really want to shake that image, because the logic he displayed on Saturday resembled that of a riverboat gambler.

He nearly blew a chance for N.C. State to clinch its first road victory since 2005.

Saturday’s game at East Carolina was the best the team had looked on either side of the ball. Yet, on two separate occasions while up 21-7 in the first half, O’Brien decided to hit the slots instead of padding the lead.

Kicker Stephen Hauschka hadn’t missed all year, including a 49-yarder, and is being evaluated by NFL scouts.

But with about three minutes left in the half, and the ball on the ECU 33, O’Brien didn’t let Hauschka try a 50-yarder. Instead, State ran a fourth-down attempt needing 15 yards — it went for just seven.

With the same score two minutes later, this time with the ball at the 25-yard line, O’Brien did the sensible thing and brought out Hauschka. But instead of the smart play, he bluffed.

Hauschka didn’t get to kick it, instead he took a fake field goal hand off. The Pirates called O’Brien on it — and it got the kicker laid out by an ECU defender.

The play was so predestined to get Hauschka decked, it makes you wonder what grudge O’Brien had toward the guy.

You just don’t set somebody up for that kind of physical abuse unless that person did something especially grimy, like sleep with your girlfriend.

For a coach that bemoans his own team’s turnover tendencies, he committed two of his own by blowing these fourth-down calls. The result of his reckless decisions was greater than a change of possession — he gave the Pirates hope.

I don’t claim to know all there is concerning football play-calling and strategy, but I do understand how momentum works.

For once this season, the offense had an opponent on its heels for an entire half. And for once, the defense was stifling the run and the pass. At long last, the Pack had something good going.

This previously 1-5 team had a 21-7 lead on the road in a rivalry game against a team it wasn’t supposed to beat.

Here’s some simple advice in these type of situations — don’t roll the dice. Take the points. Don’t give the other team something to which it can attach its hopes.

Know when to fold ’em, or in this case, kick ’em.

But for whatever reason, the coach wasn’t satisfied with a 24-7, or possibly 27-7 lead.

After the second O’Brien gaffe, a fired-up East Carolina offense promptly marched down the field and scored a touchdown. Then, Donald Bowens fumbles and the Pirates tack on a field goal before the half.

The score in the last three minutes of the half should have read: O’Brien minus 6, ECU momentum 10.

The Pack’s only saving grace might have been halftime.

If State had continued losing momentum and lost, O’Brien would have had no one to blame but himself. Then he’d most likely have done the celeb thing to do and gone to rehab for his addiction to gambling on fourth downs.

Luckily for State, O’Brien cut out the recklessness in the second half. He went back to what he is — a renowned cerebral coach.

He increased the lead when the chances were present, and State outscored ECU 13-3 in the second half, including two Hauschka field goals. That’s what I expect from a coach with eight consecutive winning seasons and six straight bowl wins.

I’m not sure whether or not O’Brien plays the lottery, but he has arguably the worst team in the ACC at his disposal. The chip pile is low. O’Brien, you can’t afford to gamble any more with precious wins.

Do you agree that O’Brien gambled too often during Saturday’s game? Call J. Mike at 515-2411 and let him know, or e-mail him at sports@technicianonline.com.