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REPLY: Bill, I didn't see the play you're referring to in the OSU-PSU game, but the NCAA rule on IWs is very similar to the Federation rule and in the case of a kick, it's identical. If the timing of the muff, whistle, and recovery is as you describe, it should technically have been a replay. The crew probably felt that R's recovery was so soon after the whistle that there could have been no other outcome on the play had the whistle not sounded. Not trying to excuse their ruling, just thinking out loud about what might have been going through their minds.
And, (picture me rising onto my soap box) let me reiterate a comment I made when a similar faux pas occurred during the Alabama-Kentucky earlier this season. These officials are working at a level higher than I am and I respect them greatly. BUT...there is absolutley, positively NO VALID REASON for being in a hurry to blow the whistle after R signals for a fair catch. You don't need to protect him with the whistle. His signal already provides that. Everyone in the stadium, all of his opponents, potentially millions watching on TV, even the announcers know that the ball will become dead when the receiver catches it. A quick whistle can only cause problems (as observed in this thread). Keep the 'bleepin' whistle out of your mouth. Only blow it when the receiver sets the ball down or turns to toss it to you! Don't be in such a hurry to kill the ball and protect the guy! There's no reason for it. OK...I'm off of my soap box...for now!
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Bob M.
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