Why the umpire should NOT signal TD

[MJT]

The reason many officials think the umpire should give the TD signal was evident in the Minnesota bowl game today. The ball did cross the goal line, but was his knee down? When the umpire goes up with the TD call, the wings cannot say, “yes, but his knee was down before the ball crossed.” If the umpire “punches” it in, and the wings signal, one of them can come in and say, “his knee was down definitely before the ball got to the EZ.” If the umpire signals, it is done, and that is where the problem can arise. I was surprised to see him go up, cuz almost every crew I know of, or have heard of will “never” have the umpire give the signal, for a few reasons, but this being the biggest one. Don’t most conferences as a standard mechanic that the umpire will NOT signal? I know in the NAIA they will not. What about other college conferences you are aware of?