Husky fans are indignant that the officials penalized Jake Locker (who was really impressive) for throwing the ball high up into the air after reaching the endzone in the closing seconds against BYU. The resulting 15-yard penalty made U-Dub's crucial PAT more difficult -- and, in fact, the Coug's blocked it. BYU wins by a point!!! (phew!)NCAA Football Rule 9-2, Article 1, part 2:
After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot.
This prohibits:
(a) Kicking, throwing, spinning or carrying (including off of the field) the ball any distance that requires an official to retrieve it.
(b) Spiking the ball to the ground [Exception: A forward pass to conserve time (Rule 7-3-2-d)].
(c) Throwing the ball high into the air.
(d) Any other unsportsmanlike act or actions that delay the game.
(Emphasis added). It's not even a judgment call, the officials must call the penalty. In any event, it wasn't the officials who blocked an otherwise makeable 35-yard kick. You played tough Huskies, but you got beat by a better team.
Next time just hand the ball to the officials, so we can hand you a more satisfying defeat in overtime.
P.S. -- Here in Eugene, my Tivo cut off the end of the Ducks 66-24 victory over Utah State. It was only 59-17 when my recording cut out -- looks like I missed a barn-burner!
2 comments:
Travis I have to disagree with you there is the law and the spirit of the law. It wasn’t like Locker was taunting the BYU players by throwing the ball in the air. It was based off emotion from carrying his team on his back for 4 quarters (like always). There is nothing wrong with showing some emotion, it’s not like he hid a cell phone on the goal post. If the ref’s followed the handbook like this on every play the game would last about 10 hrs because they would have to call holding on just about every play. They can’t be that technical they have to use better judgment when calling a game that close. Can’t there be a balance of justice and mercy?
Eric
Travis I have to disagree with you there is the law and the spirit of the law. It wasn’t like Locker was taunting the BYU players by throwing the ball in the air. It was based off emotion from carrying his team on his back for 4 quarters (like always). There is nothing wrong with showing some emotion, it’s not like he hid a cell phone on the goal post. If the ref’s followed the handbook like this on every play the game would last about 10 hrs because they would have to call holding on just about every play. They can’t be that technical they have to use better judgment when calling a game that close. Can’t there be a balance of justice and mercy?
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