Expert: Thom Brooks - 9/7/2008

Question
Watching some games over the weekend I can't believe the calls on the fields.  I feel the NCAA needs better officials or needs to inprove the calls.  Do you guys feel the same?

Answer
Darian, hello!

Actually, I've seen replays of calls that made me feel the officials were right.  I just watched the Gators get a reception against the Hurricanes.  The Receiver's elbow hit the ground before he lost the ball and before he was out of bounds.  

The past few years, I've learned more about the rules than most fans and players. It's amazing how often the officials get the call right.

Tell me some specific plays to see if I can remember seeing them today.  I have seen some bad calls but not today. I saw some plays that within the blink of an eye could have been ruled either way.  When the official on the field makes the call, one half of the fans are going to hate him!  Sometimes a weaker official has been swayed by one of the coaches, players or fans, but usually they are firm with their decision making.  A player sees the game differently.  A fan sees it another way.  The official sees it as a different game.  We look at the zone and boxes where we are assigned that duty. We do not look at the ball, but at the players around it.  

Darian, I'm starting my 3rd year of high school officating and it is awesome!  Last week, as an Umpire (the one that stands over the ball and behind the Linebackers).  I made some errors on mechanics but would have given myself a grade of 90 for the two games.  I got knocked down three times.  Took a helmet on the knee and two helmets in the back.  Limped home and loved it.  The high school lads are faster than they appear to be from the stands...... I stayed away from the oncoming rush but got nailed by three men that were blocked into me, after the whistle had blown.  I'm not fond of throwing flags but try to officiate without the fans seeing me.

I saw pass interference and a block in the back that was not called today, and cannot comment on why it was missed or ignored.  

I saw the end of the BYU  vs. Washington game today.  The QB scored and threw the ball high into the air.  The players celebrated, got the Unsportsmanlike Penalty and missed the extra point that would have tied the game.  The rule is the rule.  Every week, every coach reminds the players that the NCAA will flag them for excessive celebration.  I hated the game ending that way, but the players knew the rules and broke them.  If you were on the other team, you would have been angered if the flag had not been thrown.  This is the beauty of the game.  It's never perfect!

My email is CompnyBiz@aol.com  if you want to talk about those nasty Zebras, feel free to write!

Take care!

Thom Brooks