Bobref

That is an NFL rule. In high school, the important thing to remember is that the passer is, by definition, a “defenseless player.” We don’t go quite to the same lengths as the pros, so if you “brush” the QB’s helmet it’s not a foul. But any forcible contact above the shoulders is going to draw a flag. I’ve also heard people talk about the “two-step rule,” but it’s more of a guideline. When I was wearing the white hat, like most referees I would call out “ball’s gone!” when the pass is away. Any contact after that was considered late.

So now you’re piling on, too?

Honestly, Muda. I wish you could attend this game. I think even a hard-boiled cynic like you would be moved by the sight of these 2 teams knocking the crap out of one another for 3-1/2 hrs. … and then 200 fine young men joining in a group to first sing the Navy anthem and then the Notre Dame alma mater, to the respective fan sections, while the band plays. It is really something. Probably won’t make Sports Center. But it is really something to see.

Therein is the problem You regard it as merely a football game. If you had ever been there to see it, you’d realize it is much more than that.

Romance in a broader sense. And it’s a graduate level course. 🤣

Get a little romance in your life. You’ll be the better for it. He starts at Rover, and has all season.

I wish I could. But without video … A very good official once told me that it’s better to look bad and get the call right, as opposed to looking good, and getting it wrong. The lack of a flag is perplexing.

You could look at it that way … if you were a twisted horse’s a$$.

More’s the pity.

You have no idea.

Don’t know, but I’ll be there. I love this rivalry. I’ve created a separate Topic in the Next Level just for this game.

Yes, but if you read the entire report - as I did - you’d be aware that the decision to send video up on the platform was not Kelly’s.

Exactly correct.

A prickly pear is a cactus, not a pear.🤣

This coming Saturday, Notre Dame will host Navy in the renewal of an intersectional rivalry that was played continuously since 1927, except for last year due to COVID. And every year people ask “ Why does ND still play Navy in this era of playoff football where quality wins can be gold?” The answer is both simple and complex. The short answer is that the University owes the Navy an honor debt that can never be repaid. It dates back to WW II, and is explained here. https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/6/30/22557150/why-the-navy-notre-dame-game-matters-midshipmen-irish-mids-ken-niumatalolo-college-football At Notre Dame, there are some things more important than wins and losses, more important than playoff qualifying, more important even than national championships. Notre Dame will play Navy as long as Navy wants to play Notre Dame. That is absolutely written in stone for reasons that have nothing to do with rankings, bowl games, or championships. I will be in the house Saturday, as I have been for many of these over the years. I intentionally got tickets in the south end zone, as close to the Navy section as possible. Their people are just outstanding. And if you’ve never seen what happens at the conclusion of the Notre Dame - Navy game, well, all I can say is there is no scene like it anywhere else in college football. I love big time football, the big Bowl games, the playoffs, etc. But for me, this game is the pinnacle, because it represents the pure spirit of college football. Go Irish! Beat Navy! … and then honor them as they deserve.

Brian Kelly had the personality of a prickly pear for a long time. The administration — and I don’t mean the athletic administration — sat him down and told him he was representing the University poorly, and that was not going to continue regardless of his won-loss record. He has changed dramatically. You want to bring up the Declan Sullivan tragedy that occurred as a result of multiple factors 11 years ago as proof of something, you’ve merely revealed yourself as just another mindless hater.

Halftime, no. All game balls are approved before the start of the contest. But in the case of really inclement weather, some leeway in that is fine. And there is no limit on the number of footballs that can be used. How many ball boys do you have? 🤣

I think you’re exactly right. Hamilton is one of the 5 best players in college football right now and the undisputed leader of the defense. It would be nice to have someone step up. But he’s irreplaceable.

If the defense has 12 in the formation, we’d hope that the back judge would catch that pre-snap and flag a dead ball illegal substitution, which is only 5 yds. Sometimes, especially on a punt when the back judge is 50 yds. from the LOS, it can be very difficult to get the count, then re-count if there’s 12, and get the play shut down before the snap.

I have not observed any change in calling this foul at any level. The rule itself has not changed. It’s not a Point of Emphasis. I don’t see it called any more often, as compared to past years. But keep in mind that the rules are different at each level. In the NFL, for example, any contact above the neck is a foul. Contact below the knee is also a foul. At the high school level, we don’t have that.

Note that the procedure only applies when the offense can run out the clock by kneeling.

This is the established procedure for taking a knee at the end of the game, and how the officials are to deal with it: II. O. Victory Formation 1. The purpose of the Manual’s treatment of “Victory Formation,” end of game scenarios is to insure a consistent approach to these common situations, and one that minimizes the possibility of unsportsmanlike acts at the end of the game. 2. At the end of the game, and occasionally at the end of the first half, a team will line up in a “Victory Formation,” preparatory to taking a knee and running out the clock. Victory Formation often occurs when Team A alters its usual formations, usually by narrowing down splits, and moving backfield players in a protective screen around the quarterback, often with a “safety” deep in the offensive backfield. But any formation can be “Victory Formation” in an end of game situation, where Team A indicates it will be taking a knee to run out the clock. 3. When Team A is ahead by 9 or more points and can take a knee(s) to run out all of the remaining game clock, the officials will request Team A to declare its intent on whether they will be taking a knee. If Team A indicates they will be taking a knee, U and R will instruct all players that the play will be over immediately after the snap, and that all players should avoid contact, on pain of a foul and potential disqualification. However, if the snap is muffed, all bets are off, and it’s play football. 4. If the offensive team declares that they will be utilizing the Victory Formation to take a knee, and runs any offensive play other than a kneel down, the officials will rule this an unfair act under Rule 9-3-1, allowing R to enforce any penalty deemed equitable under the circumstances. This does not apply if the snap is muffed. a. In most cases replaying the down at the previous spot and resetting the game clock is an adequate remedy. b. Of course, Team B retains the right to decline the penalty and accept the result of the play. 5. If the offense muffs the snap or fumbles the ball while in Victory Formation, the ball is live and can be recovered and advanced by either team, as if Team A had not been in Victory Formation.  

The penalty is “unnecessary roughness,” which is a personal foul, not unsportsmanlike conduct. It’s “unnecessary “ because the offense has declared they are taking a knee. Now, if the offense says they’re taking a knee, and then fakes it and runs a play, there is an established procedure for the officials to deal with that.

I have heard this same refrain from officials for at least the last 20 years, but there is absolutely no doubt that the grief officials take is contributing significantly to the shortage - and it’s getting worse. You might think that young people today are “soft,” or that officials shouldn’t have ”rabbit ears.” Be that as it may, the fact is that something has to be done or we are going to reach “critical mass” in a few short years, and you are going to see schools paying a lot more $$ for officials, just to entice people to become officials, and/or you are going to be seeing Thursday and Saturday games in abundance. You only have to look at some of the comments you see here on the GID and know that is multiplied tenfold on Friday nights, from the stands, from the sidelines, and from social media. People, criticism is expected. But the vitriol you hear is worse than ever.

Not sure what you mean by that. Did you have a post-game debrief with the observer? Did you get a copy of his observation report?