SEC official says decisions correct
http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/104323524.html?showAll=y&c=yBy SCOTT RABALAIS
Southeastern Conference coordinator of football officials Rogers Redding said Monday his crew properly handled the end of the LSU-Tennessee game, including not penalizing Tigers center T-Bob Hebert or a number of other players for removing their helmets.
Speaking on the Tim Brando Radio Show, Redding addressed a number of issues stemming from the wild and wacky end to Saturday’s game, which LSU won 16-14 on an untimed down.
The controversy began in the closing seconds when LSU, which was out of timeouts, ran a keeper with Jordan Jefferson for one yard to the Tennessee 1.
About 26 seconds remained after the players unpiled. As time ticked away, LSU sent in a new personnel grouping with three wide receivers. Tennessee countered by changing defensive personnel.
Two players who were originally being subbed out stayed in, giving the Volunteers 13 defenders.
With about :03 left, Hebert snapped the ball past Jefferson in desperation, and after a mad scramble near the UT 19, time expired. However, officials called the Vols for illegal participation, allowing the Tigers to run one untimed down and score on a 1-yard smash by Stevan Ridley.
Tennessee coach Derek Dooley originally complained that his team wasn’t given enough time to set its defense, though he told reporters Sunday he would not lodge a complaint with Redding.
Redding supported the way his officiating crew handled the situation.
“There were about 25 seconds left when he (Jefferson) was tackled,” Redding said. “With about 10 or 11 seconds left, LSU sent several players into the game. The umpire (Jeff Roberson) comes to the ball to prevent the ball being snapped to give the defense time to make adjustments.
“Now, the clock is down to about 6 seconds. The referee (Marc Curles) and the umpire make eye contact, and they see that the defense is making no effort to make more adjustments. So, he (Curles) signals to the umpire to back away, indicating that the ball is ready to be snapped.”
With Tennessee celebrating an apparent 14-10 upset victory, a flag lay in the north end zone at the feet of back judge Dale Keneipp, whose job was to count Tennessee’s defenders. After a quick conference, Curles went to the sideline to talk to replay official Mike McGinnis by headset.
“All he did was ask the replay official, was there time left on the clock when the ball was snapped?” Redding said. “He (McGinnis) said, ‘Yes,’ then he (Curles) indicated the penalty.”
After the Tigers scored, officials marked the ball at the Vols’ 3 for an extra point attempt. By rule, LSU was required to run a play because the game was still in the balance — Tennessee could have tied it by returning a botched extra point try for two points.
Instead, Dooley apparently indicated his team would not come out for the play, allowing officials to declare the game over.
“The extra point attempt is supposed to be made if the score matters,” Redding said. “But if the defensive team leaves the field &hellip then it’s over.”
There was one other matter to deal with, that of Hebert flinging his helmet after it appeared Tennessee had won.
A player is subject to a penalty by removing his helmet in the field of play. But Redding said his officials have been instructed to determine a player’s intent when doing so, and that if a player removes his helmet in anger or celebration a penalty should not be called.
“He did take off his helmet, but you can see several players taking their helmets off” on both sides, Redding said.
“The way we handle those is, we always have to interpret why (the helmet is removed). We always allow for the immediate burst of emotion. To penalize that at the end of the game is a very technical interpretation of the rule. It would be irresponsible to penalize either team because of that.”
Despite the non-call, Hebert was apologetic about his actions when questioned Monday.
“It was an immature act on my part,” Hebert said. “I got caught up in the emotions of the game.
“But that’s no excuse. I’ve definitely looked at it and I will never let that happen again.”
