Fake Kneel Down

[Grover]

Just a few seconds left in the first half and Pike lines up in victory formation to obviously take a knee.  CG players do what they are supposed to do -- basically nothing.  Pike's QB takes the snap and runs the ball.  No flag was thrown and it wasn't needed because the play didn't work but given that the defense is expected to go easy that should be a penalty in my opinion.  Am I wrong?

[Bobref]

3 hours ago, Grover said:

Just a few seconds left in the first half and Pike lines up in victory formation to obviously take a knee.  CG players do what they are supposed to do -- basically nothing.  Pike's QB takes the snap and runs the ball.  No flag was thrown and it wasn't needed because the play didn't work but given that the defense is expected to go easy that should be a penalty in my opinion.  Am I wrong?

This very play has been discussed with some frequency, and the answer depends on a little more information. Did the offense do anything other than line up in “victory formation” to give the defense the impression they were going to take a knee?

[Coach Nowlin]

https://footballscoop.com/news/video-purdue-ran-controversial-trick-play-last-night/ 

[JustRules]

No foul for doing this. Even if the offense tells us they are taking a knee I tell the defense to play smart because if they muff the snap it's a live ball that can be recovered. Especially at the end of the first half you need to be ready for this kind of play.

[Grover]

12 hours ago, Bobref said:

This very play has been discussed with some frequency, and the answer depends on a little more information. Did the offense do anything other than line up in “victory formation” to give the defense the impression they were going to take a knee?

Not sure what was said on the field but the refs crowded in around the play presumably to prevent over-zealous play.  CG has considerable talent on the defensive line.  Would they be flagged if they went full speed?

[Bobref]

4 minutes ago, Grover said:

Not sure what was said on the field but the refs crowded in around the play presumably to prevent over-zealous play.  CG has considerable talent on the defensive line.  Would they be flagged if they went full speed?

If, as often happens, they announce to the officials/opposing team that they’re going to take a knee ... and then do something else, that’s not going to be allowed. That’s the one time an inadvertent whistle comes in handy. 😉
 

On the other hand, if they just line up in a formation, it’s “play football.”

Edited October 3, 2020 by Bobref

[Grover]

Ha!  Thanks.

[Yuccaguy]

On 10/3/2020 at 12:52 PM, Bobref said:

If, as often happens, they announce to the officials/opposing team that they’re going to take a knee ... and then do something else, that’s not going to be allowed. That’s the one time an inadvertent whistle comes in handy. 😉
 

On the other hand, if they just line up in a formation, it’s “play football.”

You pull this stunt on my field after announcing that you are in Victory formation.... well we will have major issues!

[Impartial_Observer]

On 10/3/2020 at 12:52 PM, Bobref said:

If, as often happens, they announce to the officials/opposing team that they’re going to take a knee ... and then do something else, that’s not going to be allowed. That’s the one time an inadvertent whistle comes in handy. 😉
 

On the other hand, if they just line up in a formation, it’s “play football.”

I will usually ask the QB, we don’t announce it, but if the QB says he’s taking a knee, I tell him nothing squirrelly, go down. That being said, earlier in the year, we had a really quick whistle that lead to the QB keeping his word.