Auburn/ Ms. State Game

[Curious]

First, I am NOT a College Official, have no allegiance to either school, and I did NOT see the whole game; but, without being "too" critical of the HL at the end of this game, will anyone comment on how this official would NOT anticipate a TO (and take a quick look at the Ms. State bench) with the final seconds ticking away.

As an official and trainer at the HS level, we constantly preach "anticipation" and being aware of game situations - especially late in a game.  It is hard for me to believe the wing official on the Ms. State sideline (or ANY of the officials for that matter) would not expect a TO to be called - and take a look that direction. 

Why should the coach have to run down to the goal line to get the officials' attention?

I subsequently found out that some extra time was added to the game clock; which leads me to ask: if no one saw the coach call TO, what "actual knowledge" would the officials have to add time (which I assume is required in the NCAA)?  I don't recall the "R' going to the Replay Official for help.

At least the "R" didn't penalize the MSU coach for leaving the box!

[FLbackjudge]

I couldn't agree more; my crewmates and I made the same comment as we watched the end of the game before leaving the hotel for our assignment.  On the plus side, the R did restore time to the clock to account for the time consumed in getting H's attention, so there the only harm done was a slight tarnishing of the crew's otherwise excellent job.                   

[JRutledge]

I do not think anticipation has anything to do with it. They probably cannot hear him or see him. After all this is not played at a local park, this is played with 70+ thousand in an arena and well over a hundred people on the sideline. That is also not just the short wing's responsibility it is the crew’s responsibility. This is the reason (like in basketball) it is stupid for a coach to think we can hear or distinguish them out of everyone else on the sideline. I blame a coach for not teaching his players properly to call a timeout which they still can do as always. The players are looking towards the sidelines, not necessarily the officials. Also the players know the situation and what you want. I cannot blame officials for everything in this situation almost 30 yards away from where the team area is located.

Peace

[Atlanta Blue]

I was watching the end of this game with one of the SEC observers.  He had no problem with how the crew handled it.  He said the coach was screaming a little too much, but there is no way you drop a flag there, the R put his arm around the coach and guided him back to the bench, calming him down.

Replay put the 3 seconds back on the clock.

I can't understand an iffy running play with 10 seconds with no timeouts, though.

[golfingref]

I agree with Curious. As a high school official, if this situation was playing out on my field, I would be looking to the sidelines once the play was over. That would help to avoid the coach from having to run to the goal line. Now, if the same coach was screaming for a time out before the snap, he may very well have to run that far to be seen since all of the eyes would be on the players at that point.

[Joe Stack]

Why should the coach have to run down to the goal line to get the officials' attention?

Excuse my smart-BUTT here, but he shouldn't have to run down to the field; he has this thing on the field called PLAYERS! Actually, he has 11 of them (hopefully, but more than 5 anyway). It is the coach's responsibility to train his players to recognize the situation and know when to call a TO.

We're talking about a college game, not a 7th grade C team game. And no, I'm not suggesting the officials go to sleep in the last minute -- diligence is very important. But at the end of the day, if a player is not requesting a TO on behalf of the coach AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL, that's the team's problem, not the officials'. An official can't be expected to have eyes in the back and on the sides of his head.

[Diablo]

There was a lot going on, on the field of play, after the next-to-last down.  I don't think the crew should be dinged for not seeing nor hearing the coaches time out request.

If his players on the field do not recognize the coach's plea, he should tell a substitute to run straight at the R signaling and shouting "Time out".  Someone of the crew will usually see the sub and [S3].  After the TO is granted, the substitute is not obligated to play the next down.   

[Rulesman]

I can't understand an iffy running play with 10 seconds with no timeouts, though.

While Mullen's play calling in those situations is too predictable, all Relf has to do is stay wide (he's got TWO blockers out there) and he's in. He cut back right into the arms of the tackler. Even so, he was hit low, and made no effort to stretch the ball into the end zone. That's on him.

Knowing some members of that crew personally, I thought they did a hell of a job... and I'll also admit State is my adopted team! Auburn was ready; State wasn't.

[RMR]

Speaking of Auburn/Miss State does anyone have any video of this measurement?  Apparently the internet theory is that the crew was cheating for Auburn here.  Screen grabs are great and all, but it really doesn't tell us a whole lot and of course it's quite simple to select a single one to try and cast the crew in as bad a light as possible.  Thoughts?

My favorite is one of the internet geniuses who is wondering "why there is a foot under the ball."

[mbyron]

My favorite is one of the internet geniuses who is wondering "why there is a foot under the ball."

Same reason this chick is kissing the sphinx.