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College Football/Pass INterference

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Expert: - 9/22/2006


Question
OK forgive my ignorance....if the Auburn players was not guilty of pass interference becuase the ball was deemed uncatchable.  Is there no such call as illegal contact?  Or can any defender at any time latch on to a wide recievers legs and drag them to the ground?  If the LSU player was on the other side fo the field and no where near the intended reciever but an Auburn defender latched on to him and took him down...is that not a penalty?  If not that means all other recievers not being thrown to can be tackled?  I thought there was only some bumping and pushing allowed within the first 5 yards from ther line of scrimage.  I thought anything else downfield was illegal contact.

Sorry to beat this dead horse but I just can't imagine a wide reciever can be tackled when he is being passed too in any circumstance.  

Answer
J,
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.

No problem, I don't mind you beating a dead horse.  What I care is that you understand the rule.  Again, remember the play in question called upon a subjective factor - an officials judgement.  Yes illegal contact is another reference to Pass interference under rule 7-8.  The penalty is PI, there is no penalty of "contact interference or illegal contact".  You can not have the penalty unless the ball was deemed catchable.

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

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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.

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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

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