Hmmm. I could have sworn I commented about this already, but I can't find the post/thread. Maybe I didn't. Well, here goes.
I was watching the UCF/SMU game when it happened. The FCU ball carrier is at the B-8 1/2 and is facing toward his own goal line while back-stepping toward B's goal line, in the grasp of two opponents. A big ugly for UCF, standing about the B-8, and also facing his own goal line, grabs his BC teammate from behind with a bear hug, lifting him and carrying (by back-stepping) toward B's goal line. Finally, about the B-3, the BC gets pulled down by the opponents.
I started grinning from ear-to-ear, thinking, "Oh, boy. We don't see this very often, but this is HUGE. We're gonna get an "Aiding the Ball Carrier" call." I wait. Hmm. The crew goes about their business spotting the ball, and just getting ready for the next down, as though nothing unusual has happened. I kept hoping a wing official off-camera would come busting in, stopping the action and clock, to report the foul. Waiting. Waiting.
Nothing. No call. You gotta be No. 2ing me. Replays were enormous. How is this NOT?
OK, I know these unusual calls are treated as pariahs, and no one wants to be the guy that makes a call like this. But, in this case the BC was able to gain at least 4, maybe 5, additional yards by this action. The rule exists to prohibit this. Like it or not. This ain't like pants/knee pads. This is a game play issue. These fouls have got to be called, when they are this HUGE and a team gains a decided advantage by it.
I was hoping Shaw would address this in his video this week.
He did. This is a foul that should have been, and must be, called.
For the record, these calls don't scare me. I made this call once (in 47 seasons of officiating). Like this one, it was huge. BC was struggling forward when a teammate out in front turned around and grabbed the BC by the FACEMASK and started pulling him forward, gaining at least two more yards he would never have gained without the assist.
Have the courage to make these calls, when they are this huge, and forget about any ridicule you may get from your fellow officials. You are the better one, for upholding the integrity of the game.
