ACC crew suspension

[UmpSC]

http://www.theacc.com/news/acc-announces-11-01-2015

[Joe Stack]

PR. The player down was so close, it could not have been clear and convincing (or whatever the standard is) in the booth. The BiB at the 16 was there, but the player was blocked into the Miami player he was seeking to tackle and the ball had already left the Miami player's hands. No effect on the play. The rest is stuff missed by ALL crews working Saturday.

I'd bet money these guys will be paid their game fees for whatever games are missed. This was something the conference used to throw them under the bus so they wouldn't have to take any more heat. instead, the conference should have put out a press release that said the following:

The ending of the Duke/Miami game was what makes college football exciting. We have reviewed the video of the last play as many times as possible and we must emphasize that the nature of the play made it extremely difficult to officiate.  The angles of the cameras made reviewing the play even more difficult. We have identified at least one foul that was not called that could have been, however, the foul itself had minimal, if any, actual impact on the play. In other words, had the officials called the block-in-the-back foul at the Miami 16, it is just as likely the Miami staff would have what the conference believes a legitimate complaint about the call. We will work to improve the communication efforts and skills of the crew and the game Referee. We have also identified other areas of concern and will focus future training of officials towards those area. Unfortunately, we are not able to condemn the officiating of a play that is extremely difficult to officiate. Those that feel differently are free to contact this office with specifics (i.e. rules and officiating mechanics) that would make furture officiating of plays like that flawless.

[Kalle]

The BiB at the 16 was there, but the player was blocked into the Miami player he was seeking to tackle and the ball had already left the Miami player's hands. No effect on the play.

He's taken down and away from being a potential tackler during the rest of the play leaving one more receiving team player to block other kicking team players. I think it should have been flagged and was a pretty big miss from the crew.

[Joe Stack]

By that standard, you'd call EVERY holding or BiB whether at the point of attack or not.

I'm not saying what happened is a no-brainer no call. I'm making the argument that it might not have been missed, AND that missing it doesn't warrant a 2 game suspension. Its close enough to where the league has to decide if they want that called or not. But would they have suspended the official(s) who missed that call in another game where the spectacular ending didn't end up on SportsCenter?

[yarnnelg]

The BIB's are not why they got suspended. Knee on the ground on one pitch. # 8 Miami without helmet on running on the field from the sideline before the TD scored.

[DallasLJ]

The BIB's are not why they got suspended. Knee on the ground on one pitch. # 8 Miami without helmet on running on the field from the sideline before the TD scored.

  Those are not worth a suspension either.  Downgrade them if you want, don't give them a bowl game, I get that.  But suspension for "judgment" calls.  As for the knee -- that is tight call on the field.  I can see suspending the RO because he gets to look at it in slow motion frame by frame.  And the #8 on the field admittedly does not affect the outcome of the game.  So again, downgrade and if other problems decline to bring them back,  But does anyone seriously believe this results in a suspension if there is no TV -- this is a Div III game?

[yarnnelg]

NCAA has announced they will consider a centralized replay system like the NFL.

[Rulesman]

NCAA has announced they will consider a centralized replay system like the NFL.

And there's a bridge in Brooklyn for sale, too.

[Kalle]

By that standard, you'd call EVERY holding or BiB whether at the point of attack or not.

Yes, I expect officials in Finland to call a takedown hold at the point of the attack even if the ball carrier has already made the cut away from the hold (and the hold does not have an immediate effect on the play).

[bama_stripes]

Does anyone think the knee down-- or not -- no-call was an example of "officiating to replay"?

[DallasLJ]

Does anyone think the knee down-- or not -- no-call was an example of "officiating to replay"?

  Yes.  I had the same thought.  Let play run . .  Replay can fix it . . .

[mishatx]

Does anyone think the knee down-- or not -- no-call was an example of "officiating to replay"?

Yes, and I think replay has proven enough times that we can't really accept the philosophy of  "let the play go and replay will sort it out".

[clyde]

Had they not picked up the BIB flag am I correct that Duke would have kicked off again in an untimed play?

[Bwest]

Does anyone think the knee down-- or not -- no-call was an example of "officiating to replay"?

Without a doubt IMO.

[hefnerjm]

Had they not picked up the BIB flag am I correct that Duke would have kicked off again in an untimed play?

Half/game cant end on any accepted penalty.

[ncwingman]

Had they not picked up the BIB flag am I correct that Duke would have kicked off again in an untimed play?

If the penalty was enforced, it would be Miami's ball, 1st and 10 from the spot 10 yards (or half the distance, depending) from the spot of the foul. If they enforced the foul at the 16, Miami would get one untimed down from their 8 to try and go 92 yards for the score.

[younggun]

The part where they messed up IMO, is that if we are going to pick up a flag it needs to be done before going to replay. That way we know what all the options are for what will happen next. By waiting for replay to come up with a ruling and then later announced it appeared that the crew used replay to pick up the flag. Messed up weird situation but hopefully some learning points to be made from it.

Having said this I feel the 2 games for the crew is harsh only when the ACC uses a point for doing it as "a block was missed at the 15..." We as officials make those mistakes all the time, and wont see it til we see the game on Hudl. If you wanted to punish the crew it should be solely based on the way the replay situation was handled not the fact that a flag was not thrown and cost your conference $$$ in a better bowl game. Just my 2 cents.

[ECILLJ]

The 2 game suspension I do not agree with. Especially if it's based on the knee being down or not. That is a tough call to make on the field and in the replay booth.

The R's explanation, the delay reviewing the play, the waving off of a flag, the sideline craziness and the missed BIB at the 16 are all areas that are worthy of some downgrades and possible loss of post-season assignments. But they are not worthy of a public reprimand. These officials are professionals and the ACC's handling of the situation is telling about how difficult its becoming for us to be supported by our sanctioning bodies.

The play would have been challenging for any of us to officiate.

[yarnnelg]

22 players scattered over the field. Herding cats would be easier.

My first thought on the coach and #8 without his helmet on was  "so what?" what affect does he have on the play?

I would have waited to announce the play under further review. Discuss the BIB at the 26, wave it off after the angle discussions. Then announce "The scoring play is under review" That eliminates the question regarding the flag and the idiot talking fools in the box with a mike in their face. Then come back after the decision and announce "After further review the ruling on the field is confirmed, Touchdown Miami. Then get off the field quickly.

Then the ACC should shut up. Shoot the review official if you'd like and anyone else on the field ..... but shut up. If the crew cannot talk to the press don't you dare excoriate a crew on a play challenged by the media. The crew has no platform from which to make their case.

[HLinNC]

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article42313563.html

[DallasLJ]

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article42313563.html

  So they want to be able to "correct" the officials mistakes!  Do we also get to have a process to review and correct the coaching mistakes?  The players blocking or assignment mistakes?  We are just another part of the game.  When it is over, it is over.  Time for everyone to move on to the next week.

[Rulesman]

This all points back to how much money is on the line. 

[younggun]

This all points back to how much money is on the line. 

Which brings up the point... when if ever do you think the NCAA D1 will go to a national assignment basis and not conference officials?

Take the NIU vs  25 Toledo game last night for example. (this is just a hypothetical) If the officials made a bad call and cost NIU the win in the last few seconds. The perception could be made that they did it to insure Toledo won and could get a good bowl game to get the conference more $$$.

I am not saying that this is happening at all, but the perception can be there to the fans of the game.

Plus if it is on a national level the ACC crew might not be suspended this week. They just might get sent to work a Sun Belt or WAC game.

[BrendanP]

And there's a bridge in Brooklyn for sale, too.

With all the review officials you'd need for that, I'd love to submit my resumé. That might set a record for the fastest transition from high school to college football.

[Andrew McCarthy]

Take the NIU vs  25 Toledo game last night for example. (this is just a hypothetical) If the officials made a bad call and cost NIU the win in the last few seconds. The perception could be made that they did it to insure Toledo won and could get a good bowl game to get the conference more $$$.

I think this is a great question to ask about the Duke-Miami game.  How much of the knee-jerk reaction (2-game suspension for everyone) was a result of the Duke loss costing the ACC a bunch of money?