*I* am trolling? I think you better go back and see who has been attacking whom, in this thread.
I made an observation that you can't blame the loss on the officials, because there were questionable calls on both sides of the line. If you look at the Observer Vine video, it sure looks like Fuller's right elbow comes up, just after contact, in an attempt to keep the defender inside of him. That's a block. And that's PI... I'm not trolling, I am defending my view from people who have called me a dick, a troll, and who have continually tried to hyperbolize my words to make it look like they are obviously right.
KMoose, I rarely post anymore because of these kind of back and forth, never ending arguments and the personal attacks that seem to occur. You are also one of the posters who I think is most even-handed and knowledgeable.
However, I really can't agree with your interpretation here. (No, I don't think you are trolling at all and I appreciate your expertise). Even if they called this on Fuller (which it now seems they did), I really don't see the elbow that you do. I am not going back to other plays in the game (I am in Latvia on business and was watching by replays only on espn). In this case though, I have spent most of today watching all of the replays of this play several times. My thoughts:
1. WF's elbow comes up as he is trying to turn and get by Darby. Call it OPI if you want but that is a stretch (WF's head is looking at Golson and doesn't turn to CR until the ball is in the air and obviously not coming his way).
2. CJ is almost pulled to ground with the defender's arm wrapped around his outside shoulder and grabbing his jersey on the field (not boundary) side. Defensive holding.
3. These penalties should offset if you call WF. Play over (again).
These kids were robbed.
I could care less about all of us fans.
EG's postgame comments are just amazing: class, composure, calm and resolve. Hopefully we win out.
The official who threw the flag should be investigated by the ACC if for no other reason that this sort of reaction by that official should not occur again - how did he get so open, gee Coach X said they were running a pick and there seemed to be contact, I better throw a flag. It could even be BK calling for something next time (I haven't seen the replays of the UNC snapper penalty so maybe it already occurred).
I am not whining. As fast as the play occurred he had to be responding to the result (too open, etc.) and not something he actually saw. ND had other chances and no game ever is completely decided by one play but when you take points off the board with a call like that, these kids were robbed.
Go Irish!