Alamo Bowl: USC?

[Welpe]

What do y'all think?

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5968517

[Reff54]

I am assuming the USC  was because he was taunting Zona  by getting near the goal line and running along the goal line without crossing it until someone got really close....
I was a D-III referee....and I think in my humble opinion...we have way to much of this type of thing that goes unpunished...and then something happens later because of the ill will such an act might create....

I heard a coach one time tell his players....if you are gonna score a TD...do it with class....act like you've done it before....

if that was what the USC was for...I don't have a problem with it...

[Welpe]

I did not see the game but did see the clip I posted above.  I don't see a flag so my guess is no foul was called.  My question is, should there have been one?

[williebe]

Welpe was in the chat room when this happened and the majority of the peeps was flag for USC. But for the record Coach tore that butt up on the sideline.

[Mark uk]

the majority of the peeps was flag for USC.

Late in the half would he have been let off as legitimately taking time off the clock to either end the half or reduce the oppositions time of reply?

[bmtjim]

The action of running parallel to the goal line would be a marginal call IMHO, but coupled with the salute to the stands should warrant a call for USC.

[Diablo]

The action of running parallel to the goal line would be a marginal call IMHO,

Marginal ?!
How about a prolonged act aimed at drawing attention to himself and at the same time demeaning his opponent.
  every time.

[MJT]

Marginal ?!
How about a prolonged act aimed at drawing attention to himself and at the same time demeaning his opponent.
  every time.

Definitely agree!! 

[VA-Ump]

This might have become vogue, but it will only happen once next year... if called, this will be a live ball foul.  Then the rest of the showboats will think twice.

[SJ2000]

No way would my supervisor support a foul here. We would talk to the coach and put it in the game report.

If he taunts an opponent a UNS would obviously be supported.

[SJ2000]

Let me add I work for a NFL Official. Needs to be murder & mayhem.

[TXMike]

The guy also went to the stands and high fived people there.       Give him one for the BS struttiong along the GL and a 2d for going to the stands, and, like we say here in the Alamo City...Adios amigo!!!

[SJ2000]

Would have to be the Lambo Leap........

[TXMike]

Not according to the preseason video

[Welpe]

If he taunts an opponent a UNS would obviously be supported.

This isn't considered taunting?

[SJ2000]

Preseason video did not initially hire me or will rehire me in 2011.

The boss was clear on what is to be called and not called.

[TXMike]

If he did the same little slither along the goal line and pointed at the opponent would your NFL guy support a flag?

[SJ2000]

Taunting would be supported.

All I'm trying to point out here is not every supervisor agrees on actions which should be called and actions that should not be called. It's apparent from the discussion there are at least two supervisors who disagree.

I'm sure you have seem all the training videos done by the CFO. Our crew had a play on one of the tapes where our supervisor disagreed with Dave Parry.

[TXMike]

...and therein lies the bigger issue....too many supervisors.   

[SJ2000]

Agree.........We are much closer in officiating philosophy's between conferences than we used to be.

At the end of the day it's up to the guy who's in front of the room at the clinic.

[Diablo]

This might have become vogue, but it will only happen once next year... if called, this will be a live ball foul.  Then the rest of the showboats will think twice.

Do National Federation rules enforce penalties for live-ball USC fouls as dead-ball?  What about next year?

Anybody who thinks this act will not trickle down to high school still believes Santy Claus, Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy are alive and well. 

[Welpe]

Taunting would be supported.

My question is, why would what happened in the video not be enough for a taunting call? It fits at least three criteria for USC: it is prolonged, intended to focus attention upon himself and is demeaning to his opponent.

[Welpe]

Do National Federation rules enforce penalties for live-ball USC fouls as dead-ball?  What about next year?

No and no unfortunately.

[pgh guy]

This play came up for discussion and the consensus was this was not enough.  He did not point, he did not run his mouth, alter stride, use a prop, etc.  The only thing he was guilty of was running more steps than actually necessary.  We must remember to make the foul make itself!  It is often easier to issue a KTSO than to flag.  If this was flagged and not supported, it is easy to see why.  We don't flag a WR who is obviously faster than the DB covering him.  It is not a foul to not be near a defender when you cross the goal line.  What I would live for is this WR being back tapped and fumble through the EZ for touchback.  If it's borderline, I'm ruling touchback for the simple fact he could've and probably should've already been on his sideline celebrating. 

[TXMike]

The rules specifically address the  runner who "alters his stride"  This move to slither along the goal line is pretty much the same thing to me.  He is clearly showboating, drawing attention to himself, and tautning the opponent by "saying" see you can't touch me.