Expert: Vic Winnek - 9/20/2006

Question
Question
Did you happen to catch this game?  
LSU was facing fourth-and-8 from Auburn's 31 with 2:43 left, JaMarcus Russell fired the ball to Early Doucet near the goal line. A diving Brock deflected the pass, but Zach Gilbert was called for pass interference that would have kept the drive alive.
The officials overturned the call, although replays showed the contact came before the ball was tipped by Brock.
It is my uderstadning that it is not considered pass interference if the ball is tipped at the line of scrimmage.  And this was was obviously down field.
That was a game changing call by the refs that was clearly wrong.  And they reviewed it, so they had all the same evidence we did.  
There were several other calls in the game that also incorrectly went Auburn's way and it just makes you think.....



Answer
Judson,

Thanks for the question.
No I did not see the game. I've been trying to find video of the play.  I am aware of it and have spoken to an SEC official about it.  I have also researched the SE C's supervisor's philosophy on the subject.  He writes a study manual every year for Referees.
Rules 7-8-3 and 7-9 are specific and govern the play.  There can be no pass interference "after" the ball is touched; the ball must be catchable for pass interference to attach.
The SEC Supervisor states: "Pass interference are among the toughest and most controversial to make"... "defensive Pass interference are a bit more liberal" than OPI... for there to be DPI the "pass must be catchable by the receiver with whom the contact is made"..."Contact that would  otherwise have been PI is not a foul unless untouched in the air."
The ruling was technically correct, because the ball was not catchable. That is a judgment call usually judge by triangulating officials who are watching the flight of the ball.
By rule the PI restrictions apply to both teams until the ball is touched.  I have heard the play described as no PI because the ball was touched while in the air.  But the contact occurred before the touching so technically that would be PI.  But since the ball was not deemed catchable there can be no PI.

I hope this answers your question.
Victor Winnek


My further questioning on this:

Article 9-c of the NCAA football rule says, "Defensive players legally may contact opponents who have crossed the neutral zone if the opponents are not in a position to receive a catchable forward pass."  
The LSU player was easily in position to catch that ball and even with the Auburn player holding both his legs.  And if he had not had the illegal contact from the defender he could have cuaght that ball or at least fought the Auburn player who tipped the ball (who also went on to celebrate and took off his helmet mid field which also went uncalled).  
You said you have not seen the bad call (there were actually 5 bad calls total)...so enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESgoMBi6d3g
This clip shows all of the rediculous calls in that game.  Seems like the fix was in.  How else could so many calls be wrong?  

Answer
Judson,
Thank you for the video clips.

First and foremost "the fix" was not on and I assure you would NEVER be on or even considered by an official - End of discussion on that ridiculous thought! I WILL NOT DIGNIFY SUCH AN ACCUSATION WITH ANY FURTHER RESPONSE.

Second, I never referred to the calls as "bad calls" that is your language.  I try to remain objective and non-judgmental.  My purpose is to answer questions and explain from an objective standpoint.

Regarding the pass plays, The first Catch fumble play is questionable.  I likely would have ruled it incomplete. Notice the line judge was in position to call it, he tosses his bean bag to signify a catch and fumble. Thus in his judgment the player had caught the ball and that one step was enough for him to establish control.  You will also notice an 2nd official go up to the LJ and confer. I suspect the LJ was asked if he was sure it was a catch and that the other official doubted the control.

The rest of the plays look correct.  # 73 the Left Tackle was holding on the play.  I think they called the wrong number.

As for the PI call.  Without a doubt there was contact with the receiver, however the DPI restrictions were off as soon as the ball was touched.  The play is justified because the ball was not catchable.  Had the Defensive player not tipped the ball there would have been DPI. That ball is not catchable and for there to be PI the ball must be catchable.  Remember, the officials on the field had DPI, it was overturned by the Replay official.