Temple vs Ohio-Sideline Infraction on Ohio when runner leaps for TD?

[carrollyp1]

Did anyone understand why the flag on the opposite sideline from the team that got the flag on the scoring play was called? Ohio gets flagged and the flag is thrown on the Temple sideline. Then the judge on the sideline of the scoring play throws a flag when the runners leaps for the score from the the three with no opponent in contention, where did that penalty get enforced or was the flag waved off?

[Kalle]

The proper enforcement spot for a USC foul that happens at B-3 while the ball is live is B-3, so the next play should have been from B-18. If the other flag was for a live ball foul against team B, then the down should have been replayed.

[TXMike]

From Box score

HARDEN, Donte rush for 81 yards to the TEMPLE0, 1ST DOWN OHIO, TOUCHDOWN, clock 06:37.

WELLER, Matt kick attempt good.

PENALTY OHIO sideline interference 15 yards to the OHIO15.

WELLER, Matt kickoff 65 yards to the TEMPLE20, BROWN, Matt return 22 yards to the TEMPLE42, clock 06:26, PENALTY TEMPLE holding (MILLER, Deon) 10 yards to the TEMPLE32.

[NVFOA_Ump]

There was clearly two separate and distinct flags on this play.  One was the interference on the opposite side from the TD in the team area where the sideline official got knocked down when he ran into someone in the bench area near the sideline.  The second was thrown when the runner dived into the EZ on an uncontested run (he didn't dive to avoid a defender).  The "dive" started at the three and was immediately flagged by the covering official.

Not sure what happened next, but after some extended discussion among the officiating crew, there was the penalty announcement for the sideline interference, but there was never any explanation of the 2nd flag down at the 3 yard line (the "dive" spot).  Sure looked like it should have been called, and that it was called, but after the crew got together for their discussion it just seemed to go away.

[Kalle]

Looks like they got the sideline interference correct, but they should have at least announced that there was no foul for the dive, if they decided that it wasn't a USC.

If there was a USC at the 3 and a 15-yard SI, then the next play should have been from the B-33.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Looks like they got the sideline interference correct, but they should have at least announced that there was no foul for the dive, if they decided that it wasn't a USC.

If there was a USC at the 3 and a 15-yard SI, then the next play should have been from the B-33.

That's what I was expecting when the dust settled.  The sideline interference would be enforced as a DB subsequent spot foul, but instead of being enforced on the KO following the TD it would have been tacked on to the back end of the live-ball USC that would be enforced from the 3 resulting in both losing the TD and 30 yards in penalties.

No question that the crew had the right to pick up the flag at the 3, but I think that once the flag is thrown there needs to be some form of explanation when there is no resulting penalty enforced.  In this case it just went quietly away.

[TXMike]

Video of the leap:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7183900


Still looking for videdo of the sideline interference

[mccormicw]

By the way the F threw the flag, it looks like he was going with a dead ball USC vs a live ball USC. 

[TXMike]

He started the dive at the 4 and closest player was at the 6  That is probably close enough to let him have the dive.

(Edited to fix the fat fingered "45". SHould have been 4)

[jg-me]

The R did include in his announcement that there was no USC but did not explain any further.

[TXMike]

The F may have been so close and moving so fast he did not realize how "close" the pursuers were but the B would have had a wide angle.

[Atlanta Blue]

He started the dive at the 45 and closest player was at the 6  That is probably close enough to let him have the dive.

OK, coaches may not always keep up, but we can sure count better than that! 

A dive from the 45?  That kid needs to be a long jumper.

[TXMike]

Hey I am trying to give your player a break on the dive and you treat me like that?   

[Welpe]

Did the player have a seizure once he was on the ground in the endzone?  I understand celebrating and all but Jimminy...

[mccormicw]

Did the player have a seizure once he was on the ground in the endzone?  I understand celebrating and all but Jimminy...

I believe it was a seizure brought on by the unnecessary dive.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Video of the leap:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7183900


Still looking for videdo of the sideline interference

Video of the sideline interference was shown once later and was poor quality but you could see the official on the ground in the bench area on the opposite side of the field.  Don't think there was any way the runner was going to get tackled here, and the covering official is in perfect position right on top of the play.  I don't believe there was a clear announcement that they were picking up the USC flag, but they certainly can do that if they decided that the runner was in jeopardy of being tackled and he dived to avoid that possibility.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[TXMike]

Well......speaking as a deep official and one who has been in just this same spot....he was not in PERFECT position.   We are supposed to be at the pylon already waiting.  It does not always work out that way unfortunately and I am speaking from frequent (too frequent) personal experience.  But that does not really change anything on this play.

[boydmarq]

Could there be a more textbook example of a live ball USC???

[Osric Pureheart]

Yes.  If I start flagging players when they think they needed to dive to be sure of the score, they're going to get real unhappy real quick.  This is not a Good Thing.

[Diablo]

Did the player have a seizure once he was on the ground in the endzone?  I understand celebrating and all but Jimminy...

What about the ball carrier "spiking? the ball while sitting on his arse at the end of the seizure?  He surely didn't give it to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot.  USC foul?

[Welpe]

What about the ball carrier "spiking? the ball while sitting on his arse at the end of the seizure?  He surely didn't give it to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot.  USC foul?

I thought the whole thing was over the top but I'm learning from reading this forum that my tolerance for UNS type acts is much lower than what many college supervisors and officials seem to want so I'm trying to adjust that accordingly.

[Sonofanump]

I agree with the “waive off” or ignoring the flag.

The player looks over his shoulder twice to see a defender a yard or two away from him.  He dives forward, not a summersault.  I think it looked worse than it was due to the defenders easing up at the 5 yard line unbeknownst to the runner.

[El Macman]

I doubt that I would have called it either, but, ask the question: Did he need to do that to score? 

Answer: Of course not.

Then why do it?

You have to ask?

[boydmarq]

Could there be a more textbook example of a live ball USC???

Rogers Redding agrees that this is "clearly" a live ball USC during the weekly video review released today on the CFO website.

[LittleWhistle]

I certainly respect Rogers' opinion - but think we are setting a dangerous precedent if we call that a UNS.  The runner has just completed an 81 yard run - has no idea where exactly the defenders are and makes a dive for the EZ to insure he gets there.  Just as we think the GL is the most important line on the field, so do the players and coaches.  He dives to insure that a defender doesnt dive for him and trip him up.  This is much different than the player that looks back - sees no one is around and does a dive/flip into the EZ.  I cant believe that this was what the Rule Comittee intended when adding the severity of the penalty.

Wonder if there is no Flag on the play if that even makes Rogers CFO tape - my hunch is that if there was NO FLAG - there wouldnt even be a discussion about this play!