wisconsin vs penn state - USC?

[Theisey]

Not being able to do a decent job blocking, maybe, not being able to adjust to the situation is another but "no chance of a return" is being just plain grasping at straws.

[Adam]

Okay, guys. As a basketball ref, I have to ask. How is this different than purposefully taking a safety on fourth down when you're buried at your own 2 yard line with 20 seconds left?
Or, how is it different than than fouling to stop the clock in a basketball game?

I'm just asking.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

How is this different than purposefully taking a safety on fourth down when you're buried at your own 2 yard line with 20 seconds left?

Purposely taking a safety is a tactical play that does not involved a penalty. A team is willing to sacrifice a mere 2 points for field position. Sure, the kicking team intentionally went waaay offside for tactical reasons - to prevent a return. But they also did it to manipulate the clock.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Or, how is it different than than fouling to stop the clock in a basketball game?

Fouling to stop the clock in a basketball game, if done correctly, is a legal play to obtain possession of the ball.

Properly taught players "go for the ball" and if successful, are rewarded with a loose ball (rarely a straight possession change occurs) and can then gain possession of the loose ball. If the defending action is unsuccessful, team A either retains possession, re-gains possession, or is awarded foul shot(s). If the official deems that clock manipulation occured, or no play on the ball was attempted, the penalty is upgraded to an intentional foul, which carries a more severe penalty.

Clearly the actions of the kicking team were clock manipulation, so the argument is that a more severe penalty could apply.

[sj]

Reading through these posts it seems there is universal agreement that the rule needs to be changed and also universal agreement that it will be.

I understand honest disagreements over whether the penalties on Wisconsin should have been escalated from what was done.

My question goes to those who think the coach fairly exploited a rule or really for anybody for that matter......Is it OK to make a mid-season correction and have conference supervisors instruct their crews how they should handle it if someone else tries it? That seems to be what has happened with the C-USA crew. Or should the whole situation just be left alone until the off season with nothing said?

[ABoselli]

it seems there is universal agreement that the rule needs to be changed and also universal agreement that it will be.

Now I know the NCAA Rules Committee, in their infinite wisdom, will leave it the same! (or make it worse).