Play Clock Violation

[chadder20]

Big East: Michigan State Spartans fake field goal beat clock - ESPN

After reading this article, I am wondering if football needs to have a play clock horn similar to the shot clock horn in basketball...any thoughts? Not a whistle that would stop play, but an actual horn that would only stop the play if the ball hasn't moved from the center...

 

[IrishJayhawk]

To say that it beat the clock is just stupid. You can say that the procedure for calling violations was followed properly and that it's a necessary quirk of the system. That's fine. But, don't insult my intelligence by saying that 00 is not actually 00.

 

[mrmiller8]

I don't think we need any more noise in any stadium, and there isn't even a horn for most half times or quarters so would I ever want to hear a horn for a play clock...Probably wouldn't be able to hear it anyway.

 

[GoIrish41]

To say that it beat the clock is just stupid. You can say that the procedure for calling violations was followed properly and that it's a necessary quirk of the system. That's fine. But, don't insult my intelligence by saying that 00 is not actually 00.

especially when 00 was in fact 00 twice when it was called on ND during the same game.

 

[ubet49]

play clock

play clock

Big East: Michigan State Spartans fake field goal beat clock - ESPN

After reading this article, I am wondering if football needs to have a play clock horn similar to the shot clock horn in basketball...any thoughts? Not a whistle that would stop play, but an actual horn that would only stop the play if the ball hasn't moved from the center...

The explanation is a complete cop out. Nice excuse though. Let's move on.

 

[Jerry]

I think the play clock on ESPN and the actual stadium clock were off by a second. So the play was probably snapped in the proper "lag time". The only question I have is would ND have got the same lenience?

 

[GoIrish41]

I think the play clock on ESPN and the actual stadium clock were off by a second. So the play was probably snapped in the proper "lag time". The only question I have is would ND have got the same lenience?

they didn't on the two calls that went against them. As soon as the clock hit zero the flags flew.

 

[Rack Em]

I think the play clock on ESPN and the actual stadium clock were off by a second. So the play was probably snapped in the proper "lag time". The only question I have is would ND have got the same lenience?

Jerry, I was at the game. Both times ND was flagged for delay of game (and rightfully so) the clock had just hit 00. The last play of the game the play clock hit 00 and no call was made.

Basically the refs didn't want to make that call, on the potential last play, in Spartan Stadium. They would have had a bigger riot and they knew it. No balls.

 

[mgriff]

ESPN surprisingly hasn't turned against BK and the Irish yet. The first point in the three point stance from today is about how there is nothing in the rule book about the "lag time." I'm not about dwelling on this fact because I think it is just an excuse, we still did not execute and got beat on the play. If this were Chuck coaching, ESPN doesn't mention a thing about it and rips ND IMO.

3-point stance - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN

 

[Jerry]

Jerry, I was at the game. Both times ND was flagged for delay of game (and rightfully so) the clock had just hit 00. The last play of the game the play clock hit 00 and no call was made.

Basically the refs didn't want to make that call, on the potential last play, in Spartan Stadium. They would have had a bigger riot and they knew it. No balls.

But if they throw the flags everybody stops and even if MSU throws the ball to the tight end most people in the stadium will already see the flags on the field.

Looking at the youtube video it appears that the stadium clock hits zero a split second before the ball is snapped. I don't have a problem with the call I just question whether ND would get the same no call.

 

[Rack Em]

Looking at the youtube video it appears that the stadium clock hits zero a split second before the ball is snapped. I don't have a problem with the call I just question whether ND would get the same no call.

It did hit zero. And I question whether we would get the same call too. But my opinion is that, in that situation, we wouldn't have received the benefit of the doubt, since the game was in East Lansing. After spending my life watching college football (and realizing I'll never get married because of it), I feel like those calls rarely go against the home team. I just think history dictates a continuation of that pattern.

 

[Bubba]

Just to continue to add fuel to the fire...

It “Appeared” Spartan Clock Expired Because It Did

 

[IrishinSyria]

Ya know, the refs had no idea it was going to be a game winning play when they decided to let the play stand. Not saying that should change things, but it wasn't some evil plan... missed field goal was a pretty high percentage bet when they didn't make the call.

 

[IrishinSyria]

This is the best quote I've seen about the whole mess:

I’m not a fan of either team, but this either needs to be reviewable or like the other person said like in basketball have a buzzer go off so the refs can keep there eyes on the ball. nd fans, your defense shouldve stopped them no matter what happened and ms fans, your team should be good enough to not have to wait until the clock runs out to run the play.

 

[Kak7304]

It was a bit sketchy, but nothing near the UM game last year. I remember us getting called for delay of game when :01 was on the play clock and the ball was clearly on it's way to Clausen on a shotgun snap (among many other terrible calls that game). Reffing an actual game is very tough and I think they should make more things like this reviewable. Yes, we should have been in a position where this situation shouldn't have mattered, but sometimes it will happen. I'd just like to see more reviewable situations to avoid this situation in the future as well as ones like the debacle that was the USC game in '05.