Tulsa game officials

[PonyPride]

Let it be understood that I am NOT suggesting the officials decided the outcome of the game. The Ponies made too many mistakes, and the Golden Hurricane did (just) enough to win.

However, with that said, as objective as I tried to be, I couldn't get past the idea that the officials had a horrible time spotting the ball after plays -- repeatedly. And it wasn't one of those deals where it looked like they screwed up every spot .... this aspect of the game seemed very one-sided. From my seat (around the 20-yard line), it looked like on more than a half dozen times that a Mustang was tackled and the ball would be spotted a good two yards backward. For instance, DeMyron Martin was running toward the south end zone and, after getting hit, dove forward, with the ball stretched out in front of him. From my vantage point -- which was nearly perpendicular to the play -- it looked like they spotted the ball where his knee was when he went down, rather than where the ball was. When Tulsa players lunged forward, they seemed to get the spot where the ball was.

I realize I see things through red and blue glasses. But a couple of Tulsa types even commented on seeing the same thing I did.

Bit of a moot point now, I realize. But it was a poor performance by the official who's in charge of spotting the ball.

[TacoPony]

and the review official decided to review a spotting-of-the-ball call (when the spot actually helped SMU). that was ridiculous! that's what I don't like about college instant replay from what I've observed in SMU games and other games I've watched on t.v.... I see many plays being selected for review which should not be reviewed but would help the home team if overturned.

sigh

TP

[huntnfish]

but Tulsa should have also got a TD on the fumble return at the end of the first half

[Corso]

Not from where I sat. Romo looked down (although I confess, I just about had a heart attack when I saw that guy heading the other way with the ball....)

[Stallion]

check it out- I also questioned that call because if merely the ball hits he is not down but after looking at the replay I believe Romo's knee actually touched down a mili-second before even the ball so it would have been a correct call but it was close.

[mrydel]

The problem that seems to continue (although this one was in our favor) is that the officials need to learn to call it a fumble and then over rule it if it is not. When they call it dead it is non reviewable. Other conferences seem to be handling this much better from what I have observed. There is no shame in overturning a call if it is wrong but you have to have the option to review.

[Corso]

check it out- I also questioned that call because if merely the ball hits he is not down but after looking at the replay I believe Romo's knee actually touched down a mili-second before even the ball so it would have been a correct call but it was close.

I'm glad you brought that up, Stallion. Was this similar to the deal last week with the East Carolina game, when the ECU quarterback was all but down, and put the ball down on the ground to regain his balance before throwing that third-down pass (that kept a drive alive)? I thought they were similar, if not identical, scenarios. Do you know if there was a difference that affected the officials' interpretation?

[mrydel]

check it out- I also questioned that call because if merely the ball hits he is not down but after looking at the replay I believe Romo's knee actually touched down a mili-second before even the ball so it would have been a correct call but it was close.

I'm glad you brought that up, Stallion. Was this similar to the deal last week with the East Carolina game, when the ECU quarterback was all but down, and put the ball down on the ground to regain his balance before throwing that third-down pass (that kept a drive alive)? I thought they were similar, if not identical, scenarios. Do you know if there was a difference that affected the officials' interpretation?

The ECU player never went down. No part of his body touched the ground. That is why the ground CAN cause a fumble under the right circumstances. A few years back Clint Stoerner at Arkansas was being chased and slipped. He put the ball on the ground and then lost his grip on it and continued to run. It was ruled a fumble, Tennessee recovered, drove for a game winning TD and subsequently won the National Championship. The ground caused the fumble. It is just that no part of Stoerner's body touched the ground. That is what I thought had happened at Tulsa, but it is possible, and looks like Romos's knee hit the ground just before the fumble. It still should have been ruled a fumble, reviewed and then overturned when it was determined his knee hit first.

[Otto]

I agree, they had a rough day Saturday trying to spot the ball. As far as penalties, I thought they did OK.
Does Conference USA employ local officials, or do they get flown in from elsewhere?