X on the downsbox

ref18 · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Dec 27, 2004, 07:31pm

I'm watching the motor city bowl, and there's a downsbox with an big white X over the numbers which never seem to change. Is this normal in NCAA football, because I've never seen this before.

Theisey · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Dec 27, 2004, 08:35pm

It's the optional and unofficial auxiliary down box. No numbers are really needed.

ref18 · #3 (**permalink**) Tue Dec 28, 2004, 01:59am

I guess this is sort of similar to our lone stick.

A lone yard marker placed on the opposite side of the field from the official yardsticks at the line to gain. The only place I've seen this used is in the CFL and the Vanier Cup, but I guess with benches on both sides of the field you guys have to give each coach an indication of down and distance.

JugglingReferee · #4 (**permalink**) Tue Dec 28, 2004, 11:00am

What a boring game.

It took 3 hours to play 3 quarters and the fans were not having fun at all. Many left after Toledo threw the INT with like 10 minutes left. My brother and I had fun, got to spend some qt together, but I would have rathered spent my $25US on something else.

Toledo sucked. Bad. UConn didn't seem that great - Toledo just sucked.

I saw the aux LTG box too J. I am going to coin a new acronym - the ALTG.

How was the ESPN coverage? With 2 minutes to go in the 2nd UConn scored a TD while dancing down the sideline. Was it a controversial call/non-call from the TV POV if the ball carrier stepped OB?

They also use the ALTG in the NFL, too.

[Edited by JugglingReferee on Dec 28th, 2004 at 04:17 PM]

waltjp · #5 (**permalink**) Tue Dec 28, 2004, 11:32am

UConn has only been playing Div I football for a couple of years. A bowl game for them is a step in the right direction.

I saw a replay on the TD you asked about. It looked like the receiver stayed in-bounds without any problem.

JCurrie · #6 (**permalink**) Tue Dec 28, 2004, 12:19pm

Quote:

Originally posted by JugglingReferee
They also use the ALTG in the NFL, too.

I thought the X marker in the NFL was the start of drive marker?

JugglingReferee · #7 (**permalink**) Tue Dec 28, 2004, 04:19pm

Quote:

Originally posted by JCurrie

Quote:

Originally posted by JugglingReferee
They also use the ALTG in the NFL, too.

I thought the X marker in the NFL was the start of drive marker?

I believe you are correct, but I seem to remember an auxiliary line to gain marker on the opposite side. I said nothing about it being an X.

ref18 · #8 (**permalink**) Tue Dec 28, 2004, 04:36pm

Doesn't the NFL have a full set of sticks on both sides of the field?? Which side of the field has the "official" chain set??

JugglingReferee · #9 (**permalink**) Tue Dec 28, 2004, 04:44pm

Quote:

Originally posted by ref18
Doesn't the NFL have a full set of sticks on both sides of the field?? Which side of the field has the "official" chain set??

The headlinesman's side?

ref18 · #10 (**permalink**) Tue Dec 28, 2004, 04:51pm

Quote:

Originally posted by JugglingReferee

Quote:

Originally posted by ref18
Doesn't the NFL have a full set of sticks on both sides of the field?? Which side of the field has the "official" chain set??

The headlinesman's side?

Hmmm...makes sense

AndrewMcCarthy · #11 (**permalink**) Tue Dec 28, 2004, 08:25pm

Quote:

Originally posted by ref18
Doesn't the NFL have a full set of sticks on both sides of the field?? Which side of the field has the "official" chain set??

The headlinesman's side has the chains. They switch sides at halftime- the side closer to the lockerroom in the second half.

The opposite side has the drive start marker (the "X") and an aux LTG marker (an "O" like the chains) that mirrors the chain. So there's no marker at the first down spot on the LJ side- other than the start of a drive.

Also, both LTG markers have the orange "arrow" thing that gets laid on the ground as well.