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(What is 9-9 ??)
I recall there were some internet posts that indicated certain conferences had issued guidance to their crews and coaches to head off any further lunacy after the PSU-Wisc game. But Adams actually spoke out and made it clear, to me anyway, that it should be left to the discretion of the involved crew.
Quotes from a news article on the story:
"Obviously, that's taking advantage of the rules and shouldn't be allowed," John Adams, the NCAA's rules interpreter, said Monday. "We certainly wouldn't condone that."
Yesterday, during his weekly press conference, Bielema offered no apologies.
"It worked out exactly as we envisioned it," Bielema said. "It was something that we had practiced."
Bielema was able to burn the clock because of a rule the NCAA playing rules oversight panel approved during the offseason. The rationale for the rule change was that it would help trim the length of games by about five minutes.
"I don't necessarily agree with the rule the way that it's written," Bielema said. "But I knew the rule, and I wanted to maximize it. I have to put my team in a position to have success."
After the second kickoff attempt, Penn State coach Joe Paterno ran onto the field and asked why the referees had not called an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Wisconsin.
"He was upset that (the Badgers) were doing it deliberately," Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said.
No penalty was called, but the referees told both teams the clock would not start if the third kick was offside.
Adams said something should have been done after the first blatant offside play.
"I think after the first time it happens, you know what's going on and that it's an unfair act," Adams said.
Adams said the refs should have taken action under a rule that states: "If an obviously unfair act not specifically covered by the rules occurs during the game, the referee may take any action he considers equitable, including assessing a penalty."
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