Official allows unopposed TD in overtime of playoff game

[Jason Kramer]

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/lakecountryreporter/sports/132839888.html


Pewaukee had the opportunity to go for the win after scoring on its possession on a 25-yard pass from Bateman to junior tight end T.J. Watt. The play was far from ordinary, though, as the Kewaskum's defense had yet to take the field, getting final instruction from the sidelines.
 
“The ref just said, ‘What are they doing?’” Watt said. “I asked him if we could run the play and he said ‘Yes.’ I told Brock to snap the ball and we got going.”
 
On the opposing sideline, the feeling was not as positive.
 
“I was trying to get the kids settled down and make sure we were all on the same page,” Piittmann said. “I did not hear the ready-for-play whistle. I didn’t hear the official on our side come and tell us to get the guys on the field, until it was way too late. He wasn’t very forceful about telling us it was time to go.”


(Side note: T.J. Watt is the younger brother of Houston Texans first-round pick J.J. Watt.)

[Kalle]

I'm so happy that the NCAA rules don't allow this (it's a five-yard DB DOG penalty for team B not being ready to play). If you allow team A to snap without team B at least on the field, you're putting the players at an additional injury risk.

[bama_stripes]

I'm so happy that the NCAA rules don't allow this (it's a five-yard DB DOG penalty for team B not being ready to play). If you allow team A to snap without team B at least on the field, you're putting the players at an additional injury risk.

I'd make the same ruling in a NFHS game.  No way can you allow a play to go off without the defense on the field.

Someone has definitely spiked the water in Washington.

[GoodScout]

Agreed. Call for them to come out. Call a second time. Then put the flag in the air and penalize them 5. Still not out? Another flag. Another 5. Rinse, lather, repeat until the coach gets the message. No official in his right mind starts a game with only one team on the ball.

[Jason Kramer]

I'd go one 5-yard delay, and then go to 15-yd USC.

[InsideTheStripes]

Unbelievable.

How does an R that would blow the ball ready with no defense on the field get assigned a playoff game?  What an embarrassment.

 

[110]

Egad. The only time I can see that as being acceptable if if, say, the winning team is taking a knee to end the game on the obvious last play and the defence is walking off to the bench, knowing the game is done.

[Rulesman]

If you allow team A to snap without team B at least on the field, you're putting the players at an additional injury risk.

OK, you've got my curiosity. How? Getting hurt in the fight after the game?

[Kalle]

OK, you've got my curiosity. How? Getting hurt in the fight after the game?

Think what happens when team B, on their sideline, realizes what has happened, and runs towards the play. The blocking angles will be all wrong, and the injury potential is much higher than during a normal scrimmage down, even with NFHS rules not allowing low blocks (in NCAA rules the legal low blocks would cause an additional hazard).

[hoochycoochy]

Agreed. Call for them to come out. Call a second time. Then put the flag in the air and penalize them 5. Still not out? Another flag. Another 5. Rinse, lather, repeat until the coach gets the message. No official in his right mind starts a game with only one team on the ball.

+1

[Bob M.]

REPLY: There is a rule in the Fed book that prohibits either team from doing things that would "make a travesty of the game." Seems like that rule should be amended to include the crew of officials too. Allowing the ball to become ready for play without the defense on the field is unconscionable.

[HLinNC]

3-6-2 and -3 are ample to cover this.

ART. 2 . . . Action or inaction which prevents promptness in putting the ball in
play is delay of game. This includes:
f. Any other conduct which unduly prolongs the game.

ART. 3 . . . Failure of a team to play within two minutes after being ordered to
do so by the referee.

PENALTY: Delay of game – (Arts. ,f; ) – (S7-21); (Art. 3) – forfeiture.

[TampaSteve]

My word.  How did no one else in the crew pipe up.
If B isn't back on the field and/or ready when the 'ready' is blown.  Either
A.  don't blow the ready, or
B.  DOG on B.

[Tom.OH]

I would never allow at any level, as others have said hit B with a DOG.

How many times has this happened in a youth game and the A coach is screaming "Run it!" And the crew is telling the QB not to.

[GoodScout]

I would never allow at any level, as others have said hit B with a DOG.

Wait, what?