Expert: Vic Winnek - 9/19/2006

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 understanding that it is not considered pass interference if the ball is tipped at the line of scrimmage.  And this was obviously down field.

The AU defender tackled Doucet prior to the deflected ball. If it's not interference (which it was), then it is illegal contact, which is an automatic first down also.

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 including a fumble that was reviewed and ruled an incomplete pass that also incorrectly went Auburn's way as well as an Auburn player celebrating after a play and taking his helmet off which was not called although he did it in front of a ref in the middle of the field. It just makes you think.....

Today the SEC made an official comment on it, saying the call was correct.  But it was based on the bogus fact that the ball was un-catchable.   You cannot say for sure the LSU receiver could not have stepped up to that ball making it catchable if he did not have an Auburn player holding on to both his legs.  Pass interference, yes. Illegal contact, you bet.  

Answer
Judson,
I have already answered this question for you.  here is my answer:  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