Late in the game John Boyett put a stick on a USC receiver on a critical third down play and the announcers were calling for a helmet-to-helmet penalty.
Watch the replay closely and you can readily see Boyett turned his shoulder and led with the shoulder. The receiver (I can't remember if it was Woods or Johnson) actually lowered his head toward Boyett.
As it was there was a flag thrown on the play, very late, but it wasn't for the hit. Javes Lewis got it for taunting the receiver after the play. The USC and Oregon players had been jawing all game, and the Trojans had a lot to say in the papers in the week leading up to the game, so it seemed like a ticky-tack call. That's stuff you warn off. Potentially it gave SC a big break in the game, turning a big stop into a first down. Even so, Lewis suffered a loss of discipline that could have cost his team in a closer game. He extended a possession needlessly, simply by talking trash.
Good officials throw fewer flags but keep better control. In policing helmet-to-helmet hits, officiating crews will have to make important distinctions in a split second, and not all of them are up to the task.
I agree 100%.
ReplyDeleteSometimes players lead with a shoulder, but it's their helmet that hit due to speed and angle. The refs have to have some discretion.
However, despite the jawing that went on last night, to taunt a player when they are down is low brow and deserved a penalty.
Last word- Oregon played better than the score indicated.