NCAA Pass Interference - Intent required?

[mwingram]

NCAA rules. I observed a DPI called where the defender fell down in front of the receiver causing the receiver to trip and fall. Clearly, there was no intent to obstruct, just accidental.

I re-read the rule book and it says that the DPI requires a deliberate attempt to obstruct the receiver. Is intent required for DPI (or OPI for that matter)?

[Sleeper]

The way I read the rule, the contact has to be deliberate with the intent of keeping the opponent from catching the ball. In your situation, all other things being equal, I would not throw the flag. That being said, PI is hard enough to call on the field, much less through a brief description of the play. There are any number of factors that would change my answer.

[TXMike]

Intent is required and it must be obvious. Based on your description of the play I do not see pass interference. Sometimes these collisions are so ugly guys feel compelled to throw the hanky, but they should not if it was not DELIBERATE.