BYU - Washington

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Bad Mood Risin

I agree with what has been said, and Mark May really showed his ignorance tonight.

The part that really gets me is some of the guys o ESPN Radio have mentioned that it is the rule -- a dumb rule -- but a rule nonetheless. Then they talk about the Rules Committee as if it's a group of officials making up the rules.

I don't know the exact make-up of the rules committee, but I know there are plenty of coaches on the committee, and they have the most say. Rules are written by what the coaches want. I'd be surprised if there are any officials on there.

At the NCAA level, all Rules Committees are made up of only coaches or people affiliated with the schools unless Roger Redding has an officiating background. Redding’s membership is considered in affiliation of the SEC.

Basically, coaches make decisions on rules every year. Officials do not play a significant role at all on these committees. And that is why you get these rules written without consideration of other factors and the officials get the blame when they are enforced as written. This is not just a problem in football; it is the case in other NCAA sports as well.

Peace

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by Bad Mood Risin

I agree with what has been said, and Mark May really showed his ignorance tonight.

Players (and former players) are not the best folks to be giving interpretations of rules that they were very likely ignorant of when they played and have given precious little thought to since they got on TV.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by wolfgang70

QFT. In regards to ESPN, when in the hell are they going to hire a retired official as a commentator so they can finally get this stuff right?

This would not change anything because these people think like fans. And Mark May even tried to suggest that this was a "Pac-10 crew" as to suggest that they went against the home team. Fans are almost never rational because they have never had to make decisions based on rules and interpretations given by the higher ups.

Peace

[IceGator8]

I was at the game and knew instantly that there would be a flag. The ball went 30-40 feet in th air. When Locker threw it he had enough time to high five, chest bump, and attempt another high five before the ball came back down and hit him.

Seriously, the throw was high enough it gets called 100 times out of 100. Locker as a team leader needs to know this stuff and not commit the infraction.

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by kdf5

There is nothing stupider than the old "you can't flag that at this point of the game" comment.

But close is the studio talking heads' saw: "Officials shouldn't decide the game."

Well, we don't decide the game, but thanks for thinking of us.

[ILRef80]

Yeah, the ESPN coverage is really annoying. Don't blame the officials, blame the rule (which is a very dumb one, IMO).

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Did anyone else see it?

Cougars score with 2 seconds remaining. QB #10 flings the ball high into the air, so air it went out of the TV picutre. He correctly draws the USC for excessive celebration. BYU blocks the PAT from the 18 and hangs on to win.

Of course, the ESPN studio idiots are complaining about the call, EVEN AFTER POSTING THE RULE FOR ALL TO SEE.

Mean old officials!

As many times as they replayed it, the ball was thrown high enough to be completely out of sight on my TV. One of the BD (Brain Dead) mouths in the booth said that the QB just threw the ball back over his shoulder. These fools are so anti-officials, they can't understand what a foul is.

Bob

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by bluezebra

As many times as they replayed it, the ball was thrown high enough to be completely out of sight on my TV. One of the BD (Brain Dead) mouths in the booth said that the QB just threw the ball back over his shoulder. These fools are so anti-officials, they can't understand what a foul is.

Exactly. I heard that as well.

[JRutledge]

I have seen the play and I have no problem with the call. How about do not do this and you will not have to worry about it.

Let me take this a step further. I am a Back Judge and I happen to be the covering official on most long and exciting TDs. For some reason you do not see players throw the ball, or not just hand the ball to me or another official. Why is it that high school players can have restraint, but college players (who are older) do not? Also, the NCAA shows extensive tape on plays that are ruled illegal. I will bet a lot of money that there are plays like this that suggest this is a foul. I personally do not care what point of the game this took place. If you do not want a flag, keep your composure and you will have little or nothing to worry about.

Peace

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Why is it that high school players can have restraint, but college players (who are older) do not?

Because high school players don't get on Sportscenter.

Usually.

Maturity doesn't always come with increased calendar age. There are a whole mess of other things in the head and body of the college athlete that make him act and react differently than someone of lesser calendar age.

Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

Because high school players don't get on Sportscenter.

Usually.

Maturity doesn't always come with increased calendar age. There are a whole mess of other things in the head and body of the college athlete that make him act and react differently than someone of lesser calendar age.

Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

They do not have to get on SportsCenter, they could just be on local TV or state wide TV during State Final games. TV is really big around here (as you know) just for certain games. A lot of people see those games and since you have left, now there is a big time show that focuses on high school games around the area. Kids watch those shows and they realize they are on TV. They stay very restrained and I have seen many situations where I would think kids would get out of hand or do what they see on TV from the other levels, and I am surprised how few ever get that excited.

Peace

[Andy]

I'm not a football official, but it seems to me that the game officials applied a rule correctly and without hesitation.

What really irked me was the ESPN talking heads comments about "not calling something like that at that point in the game"

So, if it was called in the middle of the first quarter, it's OK?

The one thing people don't realize is that officials don't make stuff up, we just observe what the players do and judge accordingly.

If it's a violation two seconds into the game, it's a violaton with two seconds left in the game.