Another WAC Action

[TXMike]

Boise State S Venable suspended for a half
By Andrea Adelson

Boise State starting safety Winston Venable has been suspended for the first half of Saturday’s game against New Mexico State for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Oregon State's James Rodgers last weekend.

WAC commissioner Karl Benson announced the suspension Wednesday during a conference call. Benson had initially suspended Venable for the entire game. But Boise State appealed to the WAC sportsmanship committee, which cut the suspension to half a game.

The hit knocked the Oregon State receiver out of the game with a concussion, though it did not draw a penalty. Tape of the hit was sent to Benson for review. Under NCAA rules, commissioners must review all helmet-to-helmet hits. Benson also asked Dave Parry, NCAA coordinator of officiating, and NCAA secretary-rules editor Rogers Redding to review the play as well.

Both officials deemed the hit to be a flagrant personal foul, which would have required automatic ejection had a flag been thrown.

Venable will receive a letter from Benson, informing him of the suspension and warning him that future helmet-to-helmet hits may result in further suspensions.

The WAC and Mountain West also reviewed a low block Nevada offensive lineman John Bender delivered to BYU defensive tackle Romney Fuga in last weekend's game. Both conferences ruled the hit didn't violate NCAA football rules so no further action is required. BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall complained about the hit, saying it wasn't a "positive football play." Fuga is out for the season after tearing two ligaments in his knee on the play.

[jimcore]

Does anyone have a video of this?  I was on the field for the game but was distracted by EA and missed the hit.

[sj]

The play starts at the 5:53 mark.

[yt=425,350]72tr2ra4O88[/yt]

[KB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAC-OhtHwL4

Iiiii.

The suspension should have stayed at one game, really. Call him assassin.

[TXMike]

I think I still have the game on DVR.  If so, will pull the clip and see if we can get other views.  If there is a coordinator who understands the rules, it is Blackwood so I definitely trust his judgment on this.  Some interesting comments from Venable's coach:

From the Idaho Statesman:

Coach Chris Petersen worried about nickel's tackling form.
BY CHADD CRIPE - ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Boise State football coach Chris Petersen said Monday that he was more concerned with the hit Winston Venable tried to make than the one he actually delivered.

The WAC is reviewing Venable's helmet-to-helmet hit on Oregon State wide receiver James Rodgers in Saturday's game and could force him to sit all or part of this Saturday's game at New Mexico State (6 p.m., KTVB).

Venable wasn't penalized for the hit, which knocked Rodgers out of the game with an apparent concussion.

Venable did draw a flag later in the drive. He didn't hit quarterback Ryan Katz, but he led with his helmet.

"The scary thing about Winston's penalty that he got flagged for is, he didn't hit anybody, but he's going to hurt himself," Petersen said. "He's got to keep his eyes up. You don't use your helmet as a weapon. That's something we've preached on since day one."

On the Rodgers hit, Petersen said, Venable didn't lead with the crown of his helmet. Rodgers was trying to block cornerback Jamar Taylor and Venable while Katz scrambled. Venable plowed through Rodgers while trying to get to Katz.

"I just think he was running hard," Petersen said. "The only reason to look at it is because of what happened to James."

WAC officials worked the game. The league's decision likely will come Tuesday.

Oregon State coach Mike Riley told reporters Sunday that he didn't know what to make of the hit.

"It was helmet-to-helmet," he said. "James was in the middle of a guy running to the ball. I don't know if it was inadvertent or not.''

Boise State finished with eight penalties for 58 yards. The Broncos were flagged for taunting on the same drive as the two Venable plays and there were offsetting personal fouls on a kickoff later in the quarter.



Petersen attributed the penalties to his players' passion, not ill intent.

"They played very hard and very aggressive and I think sometimes some bad decisions can be made there," he said. "That's what we have to continue to work on, without question."



Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/09/28/1358279/venable-playing-dangerous-game.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IdahostatesmancomBSUFootball+%28IdahoStatesman.com+Boise+State+Football%29#ixzz110v3yEsC