FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[lmitzel]

The play isn't over in that picture.  Watch the finish of the play.  Not the freeze frame that DPU's PR dude put out. 

For the record- I don't know for sure if the ball was caught in front of or on the goal line.  I think Kirby juggles the ball and never completes the play until he's in the end zone.  I know there's not a definitive view.  The ref staring at the play from four feet away had the best look and he said it was in.

Having watched it a number of times... I'd probably be inclined to agree, but it's pretty close. Since the call on the field was touchdown, I'd say stick with it. Just thought the rear view look made it pretty interesting.

[wally_wabash]

That photo that's being RT'd about all over the place at the moment is a blatant misrepresentation of the play. 

Based on the angles available, I don't think anybody can say for sure exactly where on planet earth in relation to the goal line the ball is when Kirby finishes the play.  The angles are all bad for something that is so close.  I know there's no clear evidence- especially that picture- that definitively shows the ball being caught in front of the goal line. 

[old wabash]

There were plenty of questionable calls from my POV in the stands. I have never seen so many conferences with the refs and so many picked up flags, in my probably 200 Wabash games!!

[MUC57]

Wally or someone-

Is the selection show at 5:30?

[old wabash]

Ken Owen has more integrity than that, usually. Ken, post a picture of when Kirby has the ball, NOT BEFORE!! You can NOT be down before you have the ball!!

[Dr. Acula]

I clicked through that FS Indiana video with it paused.  The frame where the ball is in his belly he has one knee on the goal line the other just short of it.  I don't know how you call that no good especially when you remember that in real time his momentum is carrying him into the end zone.  You'd need NFL level replay capability and even then I think the end result is inconclusive, the call stands as called on the field.   

[wally_wabash]

Wally or someone-

Is the selection show at 5:30?

Yes, 5:30.  Check for a link on D3Football.com! 

[MUC57]

Thanks, Wally, got it. Sometimes the 81 year old brain gets confused!

[wally_wabash]

I can't believe we have to do this. 


That's the front angle of roughly the moment of the still that Ken Owen tweeted out that apparently shows DePauw getting robbed.  We can all see that's nonsense and frankly it's irresponsible.  The ball hasn't been touched, let alone caught and down.  This is evidence of absolutely nothing. 


If you think Kirby has caught the ball at this point, the ball is probably in front of the goal line. 


If you think he's completed a catch at this point, the ball is probably above or beyond the goal line. 


What's this?  After all of the rolling around here, Kirby doesn't have the ball under control.  So did he ever catch it (yet) in the first place?  The rules say no, right?  This ball is still live, isn't it? 


And now Kirby has his hand clearly back over the ball, possession is clear.  Where's the ball though?  Looks more in the end zone than out of it, but again, it's a weird angle.  You can't say for sure.


And here's where the play has finally concluded, and the ball is certainly out of the end zone.  But again, this is definitely after the ball has been caught, possessed, and the receiver down. 

There is not evidence here that the ball was caught outside of the end zone.  It just isn't there. 

[SaintsFAN]

That photo that's being RT'd about all over the place at the moment is a blatant misrepresentation of the play. 

Based on the angles available, I don't think anybody can say for sure exactly where on planet earth in relation to the goal line the ball is when Kirby finishes the play.  The angles are all bad for something that is so close.  I know there's no clear evidence- especially that picture- that definitively shows the ball being caught in front of the goal line.

Saw it live and have no dog in this fight:  have no issue with it being a conversion.  Great play

[firstdown]

Remember  that once the ball touches or crosses the plane of the front of the end zone line it is a score.

[Li'l Giant]

I can't believe we have to do this..... 

.....There is not evidence here that the ball was caught outside of the end zone.  It just isn't there.

Things the officials had nothing to do with:

• Depauw giving up two fake FGs on the same Wabash scoring drive.
• Depauw's defense being unable to keep Ike James from getting to the end zone three times.
• Depauw's offense being unable to get in the end zone in the entire second half.
• Depauw's all-NCAC WR fumbling the ball on a punt return that put Wabash at the goal line in position to tie the game or take the lead.
• Depauw fumbling the ball inches away from the go-ahead score for a touchback.

If Depauw doesn't do any one of the above things the Bell is still in Greencastle right now.

Depauw can keep whining about a single call but all I'm gonna hear is:

[1837Tigers]

Ken Owen has more integrity than that, usually. Ken, post a picture of when Kirby has the ball, NOT BEFORE!! You can NOT be down before you have the ball!!

Thanks for the kindness, really.  His knee is down and the ball is there -- but I will not argue that it's close.  And I'm not even getting into the illegal formation stuff on the second fake FG, nor the spot, which others have.

Bottom line - refs had a tough day, both ways. 

Second bottom line - DePauw had the game and let it go. 

Third bottom line - Coach  Morel and his staff deserve kudos for aggressive/inventive calls.  I don't think any of us can recall a game where a team pulled *two* fake FGs on one drive.  Pretty amazing.

Overall bottom line - It was a great game, and you guys won.  I think we can all agree it's great to have this thing back to a place where we're not yawning in the third quarter.

[wally_wabash]

Bottom line - refs had a tough day, both ways. 

Oh?  Funny, I didn't see any of that "both ways" stuff in your timeline.  Just the dog whistle premature photo of a play that you think cost your team the game. 

Overall bottom line - It was a great game, and you guys won.  I think we can all agree it's great to have this thing back to a place where we're not yawning in the third quarter.

I'd like to get it back to where Wabash is a team that plays in and wins tournament games.  Your guys can come along for that ride or stay getting trampled while Wabash wins NCAC championships and playoff games...I don't really care, but that's where I want Wabash football to be. 

[old wabash]

One picture, one observation...don't change the subject to another play. In your picture he does NOT have the ball. Yes, it is close... and knee is down. You seem to confuse facts with evaluation of facts...re: your second bottom line... I say Bash took the game away! That's my evaluation, not a FACT! Fact is ding, dong!!! (Response to 1837 tigers, I screwed up the quote, sorry)