Sugar Bowl Safety

[IlliniBob72]

It was an absolutely atrocious call. It makes no difference whether or not he broke the tackle. The ball carrier isn't penalized for the defensive player being a poor tackler. The ball carrier was forced backwards by the defensive player and not under his own power. He can break the tackle in the end zone and run around for 15 seconds back there, but no matter if he is tackled there, he still gets the 2 yard line.

This idea is at the very root of scoring a touchdown when the ball breaks the plane of the goal line. If the ball crosses the line, that is forward progress and the TD is scored. A defensive player can't hit the runner one yard INTO the end zone, drive him out, let him go and have someone else tackle him and avoid the touchdown. Same goes here. Once he got out of the end zone and didn't go back in on his own, the possibility of a safety should have been gone.

[JasonTX]

Originally Posted by IlliniBob72

He can break the tackle in the end zone and run around for 15 seconds back there, but no matter if he is tackled there, he still gets the 2 yard line.

If he is ruled down at the 2 yard line then the ball is dead immediately. There is no running around for 15 seconds or getting tackled. If he does that he would be open for delay of game foul.

[IlliniBob72]

Originally Posted by JasonTX

If he is ruled down at the 2 yard line then the ball is dead immediately. There is no running around for 15 seconds or getting tackled. If he does that he would be open for delay of game foul.

That's not true. The play doesn't immediately end when forward progress is stopped. The play is over when the official blows the whistle or the runner is down. If a runner gets to the 35 and is hit, driven backwards to the 32, but still fighting to escape (as every runner should), the official should wait until he feels escape isn't going to happen, and blow the whistle. Forward progress is still the 35.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by IlliniBob72

The play doesn't immediately end when forward progress is stopped. .

By rule, it most certainly does.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by IlliniBob72

The play is over when the official blows the whistle

I guess those coaches who teach to play to the whistle are right after all.

[IlliniBob72]

Originally Posted by waltjp

I guess those coaches who teach to play to the whistle are right after all.

LOL I also said when the runner is down. Our association preaches slow whistles, with good reason. Make sure the ball isn't loose, no inadvertant whistles and things like that. Well, had a case where the runner was down on two knees. After making sure he has the ball still, as I'm bringing the whistle up to kill the play, the ball carrier gets blasted. Of course, I got to hear a bunch of complaints that the whistle hadn't blown yet. Of course I was very patient when I explained that the runner is down when he is down, not when the whistle is blown.

However, when that whistle blows with him in the grasp, then the play is over on the whistle.

[RedCashions]

IMHO One thing I haven't heard anyone mention is why does the Umpire go to the bench to explain the call!? I don't see that he is in any position to provide any insight on the "judgement" used. Guess when in doubt, send your largest crew member over to subliminally intiminate the coach. It's also intersting the official who ran in 12 steps to mark the ball on the 2 blew off Coach Tressel inquiry as to what went on. You would think he would know waht happened.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RedCashions

IMHO One thing I haven't heard anyone mention is why does the Umpire go to the bench to explain the call!? I don't see that he is in any position to provide any insight on the "judgement" used. Guess when in doubt, send your largest crew member over to subliminally intiminate the coach. It's also intersting the official who ran in 12 steps to mark the ball on the 2 blew off Coach Tressel inquiry as to what went on. You would think he would know waht happened.

On a safety he is on the sideline and probably like most times a coach is asking him what happen and he is telling them what happened. Coaches have no idea most of the time who is the covering official, they ask anyone that is in a striped shirt. The Umpire I am sure knew of the conversation and was relaying what he knew. And if I am not mistaken the OSU side was the chain side where the Umpire would be located by mechanic on the ensuing kickoff.

Peace

[IlliniBob72]

One other thing. This idea that the ball carrier should have just gone to the ground is absurd. It isn't his job to know where forward progress is...that is the official's job. The runner got to the 2, so maybe he should have been aware of that, but what if he'd only gotten to the 6-inch line? Surely he should not be expected to drop like he'd been shot on first contact at the 6-inch line! He would have no idea if he'd gotten all the way out or not, so he is going to fight to get out once driven back. As an official, it's my job to know he'd gotten out and that is the spot as his forward progress.

Again, think of it as at the other end of the field. No one would suggest that a running back just drop to the ground when driven back from six inches into the end zone. You'd expect him to keep fighting for the goal line. However, even if driven back, escapes, and tackled at the 5 yard line, it is still a touchdown as soon as the ball's forward progress breaks the plane.