Rule 9, Section 3, Article 2b
Colorado and their fifth down and Nebraska and their kicked pass may have some company.
On Leinert's touchdown on the last play of the game, Reggie Bush clearly pushes Leinert into the end zone.
From the NCAA Rule Book (page 116)
SECTION 3. Blocking, Use of Hands or Arms
Who May Block
ARTICLE 1. Players of either team may block opponents, provided it is not forward-pass interference, interference with the opportunity to catch a kick or a personal foul (Exception: Rule 6-1-2-h).
Interfering for or Helping the Runner or Passer
ARTICLE 2.
a. The runner or passer may use his hand or arm to ward off or push opponents.
b. The runner shall not grasp a teammate; and no other player of his team shall grasp, push, lift or charge into him to assist him in forward progress.
Now, we've all seen it happen in goal line situations before, but it's usually more of a scrum, rather than one guy just outright pushing the other into the end zone. Does this cheapen the win? I don't know. But it'll be really interesting to hear whether the talking heads chalk USC's "winning streak"* to OMGSoGood! or getting the benefit of a questionable call on such a key play.
(References to the 2003 Fiesta Bowl will be viewed sternly, as there actually was pass interference on that play, and Miami got a little help to even get that far.)
3 Comments:
I don't think you'll start hearing that argument until all the "why did they put time back on the clock, and the ball went out of bounds at the three and a half" arguments are thoroughly debunked.
I'm REALLY sick of seeing USC win, but living in this state, I think the ND "fans" sprinting out of the woodwork made it somewhat bearable.
OMG 2003 Fiesta Bowl!
But seriously folks, I couldn't have envisioned an ending more karmically appropriate after the shit I went through after the ND game.
Was it a horrible screw up? Maybe. I freakin' hope so.
Didn't know how to comment on your o-zone article, so I did it here. Hope you don't mind. Just looking at Michigan's season from a Buckeye perspective, I think you would probably not want them needing a win over OSU just to make a bowl. Both times Michigan has had its back against the wall and their season in jeopardy, they've won against the two best opponents they've played (MSU & PSU). They have just enough pride not to totally blow the season, but not enough it seems to want to storm through all the teams they should be killing.
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