Warning: This Might Sting a Bit

by John Expat on Oct 28, 2008 8:05 PM CDT in Football Comment 4 comments

Normally I prefer to look ahead to the next game rather than dwell on the last one (that's because, more often than not, the last one hasn't been worth dwelling on lately), but given the significance of the Ole Miss matchup and the rather unique way in which it ended I think we need to indulge in a little group therapy before we can move on.

We need closure, so please allow us to talk about that interference call for a minute. First, let's break down the incident, Zapruder film-style:
from HogDB.com

And next, courtesy of Hog Database, let's watch the full video (warning: may be painful, so watch with caution):

So, was it pass interference? The NCAA Rule Book notes that:
"Each player has territorial rights, and incidental contact is allowed under 'attempt to reach...the pass' in Rule 7-3-8. If opponents who are beyond the line collide while moving toward the pass, a foul by one or both players is indicated only if intent to impede the opponent is obvious."

Did London Crawford have "intent to impede the opponent"? Or, was he just engaging in the typical jostling for position that happens on nearly every long pass play? Hard to say...it's a pretty borderline call either way. The one thing that seems certain to this (admittedly biased) observer, at least, is that it's not the type of ticky-tack call you want essentially deciding a game. Throw the flag on an obvious penalty, sure, but in this case let 'em play.

Of course, I have to mention that if the Hogs had executed properly and not shot themselves in the foot on numerous other occasions (such as that missed FG in the first quarter) then none of this hand-wringing over the call would have been necessary. And the way our special teams have performed, even the shortest field goal is far from a guarantee in that situation.

The bottom line, though, is that any old-timers who have a copy of the classic "Pass Interference, My Ass" bumper sticker from 1982 should be dusting that thing off right about now.

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Comments

What really stings is that I can see the move that drew the call. When Crawford’s right hand comes up, and he has both hands on the defender’s back, then the defender snaps forward.

No doubt, an SEC game should not be decided by that call. But I can see why it might be called. Damn it. The truth is that a strong player gets position without ever seeming to contact the defender.

So, yeah, pass interference my ass, but we won’t be getting any reprimand of the refs out of the league with that video.

by J. Hawg 3 on Oct 28, 2008 9:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I appreciate you might be wanting to be fair and objective on this, J Hawg but I just don’t see it. Crawford never took his eyes off the ball. he has to know where the DB is, especially if he’s still right in front of London. That’s all Ceawford’s contact with the DB was. I only wish I had one of those ‘Pass Interference my Ass’ stickers right about now.

by Hawgfan100 on Oct 29, 2008 8:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

As much as I hate the call I can’t really blame the ref for throwing the flag. From where I was sitting in the stadium it did look like a push to me at first, not a big push, but I definitely knew as soon as I saw the flag that it was going to be pass interference on us.

Still though after trying to give Ole Miss the ball back after that completely awesome onside kick the least they could have done for the fans (and their apparent safety) is to hold on to the flag. When the refs were leaving the stadium the student section certainly let them know what they thought of them. The boos were almost as loud as for Houston.

by CLO on Oct 29, 2008 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

One thing that is bad is that Crawford really didn’t need that pushoff. Dick actually put the ball in a good place, and I don’t think the defender would have even been able to touch it. I dare say that Crawford stands a good chance of making the catch without pushing off. Still, the call seems legit to me, but it’s kind of like when your defense makes a stop on fourth and long, but gets a roughing the passer penalty. Ridiculous and unnecessary, but a legit call.

by artiger on Oct 29, 2008 10:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs