"Upon Further Review"

                TECHNICAL NOTE:  For those not aware, when viewing these videos in the YouTube window, you can adjust the resolution for a sharper view.  Notice in the lower right hand corner of the video player window a setting such as "240p".  Click on that and you can adjust the setting up to 360p, 480p or even 720p in some cases.  This will give you a sharper image.

                 Spot?    There has been some discussion regarding the proper spot on this play.  Some have mistakenly assumed the momentum exception should apply.  Since the ball was not declared dead in B's end zone, it cannot apply on this play.  Others say the intercepting player should be given forward progress at the 6.   After you have viewed the video please take the poll below.   (Be sure to click on DONE after selecting your choice so your vote is submitted)

                    An Announcement for the Ages   Who among us has not seen the classic announcement Ben Dreith made during a 1986 game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets. After a Jet's player tackled the Bill's QB, Dreith announced to the crowd: "There's a personal foul, on number 99 of the defense — after he tackled the quarterback, he's giving him the business down there, that's a 15-yard penalty."  This past week we got to see the perhaps the next classic announcement for the ages.  This R's announcement regarding a disqualification will surely live forever!                           
 

                   Aiding the Ball Carrier     Rarely do we see a flag thrown for aiding  the ball carrier.   Perhaps that is because officials do not understand when this should be flagged and when it should not be.  However, the most recent CFO Bulletin (which was published prior to this game)  included the following play:  "Aiding the Ball Carrier 9.   In trying to gain yardage, ball carrier A44 is slowed by defensive players attempting to make the tackle. Back A22 (a) puts his hands on the buttocks of A44 and pushes him forward; (b) pushes the pile of teammates who begin to surround A44; (c) grabs the arm of A44 and tries to pull him forward for more yardage. RULING: (a) and (c) Foul for assisting the runner. 5-yard penalty with three-and-one enforcement. (b) Legal play. It is not clear that A22 is directly assisting A44. (9-3-2-b)"    The play in this video seems identical to the concept in situation (c) and should be flagged.   

                Not a Horsecollar    Although this is from a NFL game, the concept is the same in the NCAA.  It is not illegal to grab the hair of a ball carrier to tackle him and certainly it is not a horsecollar tackle when done as shown in the video,  Good work by the crew to come together and discuss and get it right.  

                 Helmetless    There is not much the officials can do to protect players other than the ball carrier who lose their helmet during play.  Perhaps the continuing attention to the epidemic of helmets coming off will result in a rule change that helps keep the lids on.  A player without a helmet is extremely vulnerable as this video shows.

                Instant Replay and IW     In case you have not heard about the play in a major conference this past weekend which generated considerable commentary , it is provided for your review.  In the past, instant replay review was not an option in the play involving an inadvertent whistle, but IR was used in this play. It has been reported that the SEC is okay with the ruling that the touchdown should stand.  Perhaps the replay officials did not realize that the H blew his whistle thinking the interceptor's knee contacted the ground.  If replay had not been applied to this play, the IW would stand, Tennessee's TD would be negated and Tennessee would put the ball in play 1/10 @ Vanderbilt's 25 yardline.    Plays like this will undoubtedly encourage officials working with instant replay review to become even more cautious in ruling a play over.

             Block Below the Waist by the QB   In this play, the normal QB  (A6)  was lined up as a wide receiver.  As a QB, perhaps he is not familiar with blocking below the waist rules but this block was a foul last year and still is this year, although not flagged here.  Maybe the covering official judged the block to not have been substantial enough to warrant a flag.    (It looks like the defender (B24) momentarily grabs the "horsecollar of the ball carrier, but let go before pulling A11 down.)
 

             False Start or Offside  When defensive and offensive players move prior to the snap, crews must often rule on which team should be penalized.  When a restricted Team A lineman makes a quick movement, he commits a false start (7-1-2-b-3).  The note following AR 7-1-3-V details how Team B players can threaten a Team A  player and be charged for offside.  In this video play, the Team B player who is charged with offside seems clearly NOT to have threatened the Team A player who reacted with a quick movement.  The left guard was not a threatened player by rule. The defensive player was between the offensive left end and left tackle.
A Team B player must also enter the NZ to be considered as "threatening" (7-1-5-a-2). The defensive end (B57) in this play neither entered the NZ nor threatened A78. He is innocent on both counts.  Reportedly the conference involved in this video play has told their officials to penalize the defense, even if the reacting offensive player was not in a position where he could be considered "threatened" according to rule.  The rules do not support this interpretation.    

                 Warming Up    It is important officials warm up properly before the game begins.  But, beware...there are cameras everywhere so perhaps you should reserve your more exotic warm up routines to the locker room.     And remember...the cameras are running even during dead ball periods..... Ref Boogey