ESPN...FSU.....AND WRESTLING

[donovan]

You won...that is what counts. I am not sure Winston could get away with his on the field antics with West Coast officials. Don't know...just not sure.

[Derek]

What's the story with him pushing the ref out of the way???

Why was the ref holding him back? I didn't get a lot of context with the video I saw.

[billybud]

There were 13 seconds on the clock and it was running...the ref was behind center...Jameis told him to move...

The ref thought that BC was making defensive substitutions...they were set...and the ref was not positioned over the ball..in the proper position to hold the game.

With the play count running down...Jameis said.."move it on over"...it was no biggeee.

[billybud]

By the by...both sides believe that this was one of the worst officiated games called in recent memory.

Jimbo was upset that he asked the official to call time out with 3 seconds on the clock on the games next to last play but the guy called it with 7...allowing BC a last play.

I have never seen an official just walk behind the center as the QB is coming up with the clock ticking down...The guy controlling the start of the down stands over the ball..not behind the offensive line interfering with the QB.

[donovan]

No matter how badly the game is officiated, you can not intentional shove the ref. Maybe no biggy to FSU fans...or to me, but I do believe Pac 12 refs would have ejected. Does not mean I think they are better or even good, could be worse, they just do not tolerate anything, most penalized conference.


I am not sure what has worked all season for FSU can continue when the going gets tough...just don't know. FSU defense most of the game did not look like a number one team, to me.

[Swamp Daddy]

Personally, I want an autograph from the ND guy's imaginary girlfriend. Just think what that'd be worth in a few years. And, a certicate of authentication signed by him and her dad.

Swamp Daddy

[billybud]

It was no biggy to the ref as well...

It now looks like Winston got the signal from the sideline and turned to run to the line (at 13 seconds left on the clock)...where he reviews the defense, makes a check call, and the team observes where the blitz is coming from...then he moves the team into the play position (based on read) and calls for the hike.

He is running to the center and the ref steps between him and the center...Winston directs the ref left while he goes right (like you might if you were running down a hallway and bumped into each other). The ref (out of position and not standing on the ball) initiated the confusion...he looked like he was headed back to his normal play position and stepped behind the center. He told Winston that he was holding up the play...Winston said that there were now 8 ticks on the play clock...the guy moved out and let the play take place.

[billybud]

Sooo...it comes out this morning that the ref was out of position and the clock was ticking and Winston was attempting to get around him to the line...that is why there was no call. He was not over the ball and when he stepped in front of a hustling 6'5 player, he knew that the player had no idea what he was doing.

The ref knew what was gong on...he stepped in front of a player with a live play (he was not holding the play in the position to do so)...thus no penalty.

Now...the anti Winston media...and folks who do not think things through and have knee jerk reactions are always set to crucify the kid over anything...

[donovan]

You won the game. That is what matters. Coach Fisher did not like the official when he called for a time out and was not recognized. This has nothing to do with anti anything. It was one play, one call and you saw it differently than others. You shove an official, no matter how out of position, out of play, incompetent he may be, you get penalized. You get no pass because you happen to be the best team in the country.

[donovan]

Mr. Billybud, you do make one valid point, even though it pains me to say it. It was no biggy to the official because he did not throw his flag. Does not make it right he didn't however. Officials get out of position all the time, that is probably the number one reason so many bad calls in all sports. You still get penalized. Off with their heads!

[billybud]

A defensive player attempting to get to the runner pushes an out of position official aside to make the tackle...you ever seen a penalty for such?

[Spence]

A defensive player attempting to get to the runner pushes an out of position official aside to make the tackle...you ever seen a penalty for such?

I've seen defensive players plow referees if they get in the way.

[billybud]

Herbstreit on it last night. He was joking around about it and then sarcastically said "I'm sure the world is going to be turned upside-down this week because of it". He gets it

ESPNU reported that the ref said that "it was innocuous contact".

I think that maybe he meant "consensual".

[billybud]

Official statement from ACC Coordinator of Officials Doug Rhoads:

"As we do every week, our office evaluated each of the games and reports from our officials. This included the detailed report from the Boston College at Florida State game, which was reviewed and accepted. The center judge's positioning, which was due to the experimental year of having an 8th official, combined with the late substitution and by rule the need to allow the defense to matchup, led to contact between himself and the player. The official believed the contact was incidental and insignificant and did not rise to the level of unsportsmanlike conduct and automatic disqualification."


Now the ACC is in on the cover up and enabling of this monster. (

[Spence]

Non story just like I said.