Ball State v. Missouri State confusion play

[ncwingman]

https://x.com/cjzero/status/1832537863109669184

Video doesn't show what lead up to it, but Ball State -- the defense -- is huddled on the sideline as if it's a timeout, but it's not... so the ball is marked ready for play and Missouri state snaps the ball, since it was ready for play.

I get not wanting the play to stand since it's making a mockery of the game at that point, but I feel calling it "offsides" isn't harsh enough here and you could probably call a number of different fouls here. I'm curious what the official stance on this will be.

[ElvisLives]

The better call would have been 3-4-2-3-b, delay of game for not being ready to play. Dead-ball foul.

[Kalle]

The better call would have been 3-4-2-3-b, delay of game for not being ready to play. Dead-ball foul.

I would say "the right call" based on A.R. 3-4-2-I. Isn't the CJ supposed to be on the ball to prevent the snap until team B is ready(ish)?

[ncwingman]

I would say "the right call" based on A.R. 3-4-2-I. Isn't the CJ supposed to be on the ball to prevent the snap until team B is ready(ish)?

I went back to figure out what happened before that play, in case it was something really weird, but it looks like the previous play was an offside penalty on Ball State as well, and it looks like a dead ball foul. In that case, I'd agree with that AR being the situation at hand. After the administrative timeout for the penalty administration, they were not ready to play.

I was a wondering if it was something very bizarre like Ball State just expecting a timeout after a third down play, maybe it was an incomplete pass, but there was no stoppage at all. In that alternative scenario, with no administrative timeout, just a team forgetting that the play was still going on, would you still call delay of game, or could it escalate to illegal participation (non players on the field) or unsportsmanlike conduct in some sense?

[ElvisLives]

I went back to figure out what happened before that play, in case it was something really weird, but it looks like the previous play was an offside penalty on Ball State as well, and it looks like a dead ball foul. In that case, I'd agree with that AR being the situation at hand. After the administrative timeout for the penalty administration, they were not ready to play.

I was a wondering if it was something very bizarre like Ball State just expecting a timeout after a third down play, maybe it was an incomplete pass, but there was no stoppage at all. In that alternative scenario, with no administrative timeout, just a team forgetting that the play was still going on, would you still call delay of game, or could it escalate to illegal participation (non players on the field) or unsportsmanlike conduct in some sense?

Mostly just for clarity, there is no such thing as “illegal participation” in NCAA football. The action you describe is simply unsportsmanlike conduct for being on the field without the referee’s permission - 9-2-1-b-1. It does add to each person’s UNS counter.
Mechanically, I’d want my wing officials to be very vocal and demonstrative about verbalizing to the team that this is not a timeout, and to get their players on the field. Hopefully they’ll respond and get them in position before this becomes a problem. But, if not, they’ll be subject to a delay foul. But, I would not let the ball get snapped until they are reasonably ready to play.

[TXMike]

https://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/college/msu/2024/09/07/missouri-state-football-coach-ryan-beard-officials-ball-state-refs-offsides-score-results/75001358007/

[bossman72]

Why would they ever make this ready for play?  We've been taught since youth football that you don't let a team run an uncontested play.

I agree with Elvis.  DOG if necessary, but the LOS should be telling them to get on the field.  If they're defiant, then DOG.