DPI Interpretation

[ljudge]

We had a call tonight in our varsity game that I would like an official interp on. I will ask my rules guy on Monday. It was 3rd and goal on the 8 yard line with :08 left in the half. The receiver runs his route (I believe a out pattern) toward the front pylon. The defender tried to come up and make a play on the ball but slipped and fell in the mud. The receiver tripped over him and out came two flags from HL and BJ. The home sideline was going nuts screaming about incidental contact.

I went in and asked both what they had to which both said DPI (both are EXCELLENT officials by the way). The LJ came in and said the defender fell. Note - the LJ's receiver just lolly gagged on his side and both the defender and receiver on his side just stood there so that's why the LJ got to see it.

Any way, I asked both HL and BJ if the defender fell. They both had agreed he slipped in the mud. So the conversation became a rules interpretation. In the end I decided to waive the flag and the visiting coach went absolutely nuts.

I told both I would take 100% responsibility and be accountable for waiving the flag if I turned out to be wrong. I was watching the QB so I didn't see anything. I simply asked questions and made an interpretation decision based on the responses.

In the end he would have had to kick a field goal anyway because he had only :04 after the play, but I realize that's not the point.