Texas v. Nebraska end of game

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

There was a kickoff by Nebraska in the 4th Quarter and the Texas player was receiving the kick and fell to the ground where he was laying on his side/stomach. The ball touched the Texas returner as he was on the ground but never controlled the ball. The replay clearly showed that there was no control but the official called the play dead, assuming there was possession. This all took place at the 1 yard line and Texas with a very slim lead was put on the 1 yard line. If I recall correctly, Texas did not score and gave Nebraska a short field on the next drive (I believe there was a turnover, but I do not remember) and Nebraska kicked a field goal to take the lead with only a minute or so. This call was huge in the game and affected the strategy of the game at that time and probably made Texas more conservative against a very good defense. And if Texas would have lost, that call would have been highlighted much more than it has been. I am not one who believes one missed called affects the outcome unless it is the very last play and even then there are a lot of things going on, but this was a bad missed call. Basically this was an inadvertent whistle not ruled as such. The game may have never come down to what it did without this situation.

Peace

With all the excitement at the end of the game I completely forgot about this play. I was surprised (OK...maybe not) the announcers didn't say anything about. They just commented the runner was down but they failed to notice he dropped the ball before his knee hit the ground. The official who ruled him down was shielded from the ball by the runner's back so he probably had no idea he did not have possession.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by bisonlj

With all the excitement at the end of the game I completely forgot about this play. I was surprised (OK...maybe not) the announcers didn't say anything about. They just commented the runner was down but they failed to notice he dropped the ball before his knee hit the ground. The official who ruled him down was shielded from the ball by the runner's back so he probably had no idea he did not have possession.

When I saw the play I immediately thought it was wrong. Then when I saw the replay I really thought it was wrong. I thought Texas was put at a huge disadvantage. So when I heard this dumb guy in the bar try to claim that Texas was going to win, I just about laughed my behind off.

Peace

[Patton]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

When I saw the play I immediately thought it was wrong. Then when I saw the replay I really thought it was wrong. I thought Texas was put at a huge disadvantage. So when I heard this dumb guy in the bar try to claim that Texas was going to win, I just about laughed my behind off.

Peace

I was able to find the play on youtube and you are absolutely right that this was an inadvertant whistle. The referee should have had a great look at it. I'm surprised that Texas didn't raise the question with the crew or that replay didn't catch it. It certainly backed them into the corner.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by Patton

I was able to find the play on youtube and you are absolutely right that this was an inadvertant whistle. The referee should have had a great look at it. I'm surprised that Texas didn't raise the question with the crew or that replay didn't catch it. It certainly backed them into the corner.

I'm digging but I haven't found the link yet. Can you please share?

[Patton]

It occurs at about the 1:39 mark in this video: YouTube - 2009 Big 12 Championship TEXAS vs NEBRASKA Highlights

[jaybird]

In the best video angle, Williams partially obscures the view but it does appear that the ball was never possessed. I would think that between the R and the H, they would have gotten this, even if they had to get together to discuss what they saw.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by jaybird

In the best video angle, Williams partially obscures the view but it does appear that the ball was never possessed. I would think that between the R and the H, they would have gotten this, even if they had to get together to discuss what they saw.

The H was adamant he had him down. I do not know what more you can discuss at that point. Unless the R just wanted to challenge him about the play and it is possible he was not sure that the H was wrong. This is why you cannot be in a hurry to hit the whistle. The play is dead already; you do not need to hit the whistle that quickly. But it was clear there was no possession and I would have rather let the play continue and let replay call it back. Then again I was not working that game either.

Peace