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Expert: - 9/24/2006


Question
Here's a an example to illustrate my question about college football rules:

The team on offense is leading the game in the fourth quarter and attempting to run out the clock. On third down with the clock running the offense gets penalized for false start with the play clock at 1 second. The game clock is stopped to mark off the penalty, then started again allowing the offense to run another 25 seconds off the game clock before snapping the ball! They were rewarded for their penalty?!! I've seen this a few times, again tonight with 3+ minutes left in the USC-Arizona game.
How can this be?

Answer
Thanks for your question. I apoligize for my delay in answering it - I was away working a game myself this weekend and then on a business trip yesterday.

Tom, this is because Rule 3, the timing rule has been written this way.  It is one of the inequities of the game. Unfair at times, I agree but both teams may be effected.  Under Rule 3-4-3, the Referee may start or stop, wind or not wind the clock if in his judgement a team is using Unfair game clock tactics.  It would have to be obvious and multiple fouls would likily have to occur.  The Rule book list several approved rulings (situations where to apply this).

I hope this answers your question. Please feel free to ask follow-up or future questions.  Also please feel free to rate any replies.
Thanks again,

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official
Western Collegiate Football Officials Association
California Football Officials Association  

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Vic Winnek

Expertise

Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.

Experience

24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football

Organizations
Past President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit Board of Directors CFOA-South Bay Unit & Long Beach Unit, Pres. Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman Ethics Committee

Publications
Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NACC Div. 1-AA football officials' clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; Articles written: Line of Scrimmage mechanics, Forward Progress, Side Line Warnings, 2006 NCAA New Timing Rules; various instructional materials, UWLA Law Review

Education/Credentials
BA USC 1987
JD UWLA School of Law 1996
3 Years Reno Football Officials Clinic
4 Years UCLA Football Officials Camp Big 12 Mini Clinic NFL Grass Roots Clinic Aloha Clinic, Honolulu, HI West Coast Alliance Clinic

Awards and Honors
NCAA Div. 1 FCS & Div. III, 9 post season Bowl Games, play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,3,5,8,9,10,12 Final, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 19 years of CIF play-offs, California State High School Football Div. 1 Championship, Southern California Jr. College Championship, NCAA Div. III Semi-Final

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