Utah Utes Line Shift

[Theisey]

What bothered me about that play was did they (Utah) ever do this during the regular season AND get away with it?? No question, I had my hankie flying at my TV as soon as I saw the play unfold. Classic attempt to draw in defense over.

[PSU213]

Originally Posted by Spence

Surely someone saw the Utah Bama game where Utah had a 4th and 1. I was at a bar so I couldn't hear any explanations given. The qb was under center with the o-linemen in a 2 pt stance. At the same time all of the o-linemen "shifted" inside causing Bama to jump offsides. Again, I couldn't hear any explanation but the flag was thrown against Utah.

What was illegal?

Also, part of this may have had to do with whether the did this 'every play' or did they just do it on a 4th and short situation. This probably entered into the official's decision on whether this was meant to draw the defense off sides.

[AZ Line Judge]

I have watched Utah all year, and I haven't seen them do this.

It was definitely designed to draw the defense off-sides.

Easy call!

[grantsrc]

I called this once this year in a HS game and got grilled by the HC. I asked him, why did your line shift that way? Not sure I ever got an answer....

[waltjp]

I also flagged this action in a HS game this year. Turns out our cadet instructor was in the stands watching the game. His son, who is also on his football crew, teaches at the home school.

After the game he contacted me and let me know that it was a good call and he planned on sharing the story with his class of cadets.

[Forksref]

I saw it and I agree with the call. Good job by the officials.

[ChickenOfNC]

Originally Posted by grantsrc

I called this once this year in a HS game and got grilled by the HC. I asked him, why did your line shift that way? Not sure I ever got an answer....

That's funny. Nearly the same thing happened to me:

After flagging his team for false start, the coach went ballistic. I finally asked the coach what his intent was in having them shift so abruptly, and his response was "to draw the defense offsides". I advised him that was the end of our discussion.

[OverAndBack]

Coach, this is your own petard. Enjoy.