FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BoBo]

^^ I was yelling at my computer screen watching the game wondering when those officials were going to call holding on Oshkosh's O-line because in my view, there was some blatant grabs not being called consistently throughout the game. That one cleverly timed photo showing #79 on UW-O holding & pulling on the jersey of John Flood confirms what I saw Saturday (even if it was just one play) - even though it was never called during the game.

Another thing that I've seen on many games this year more than any other year are ball placements - especially punts that are downed "inside" the 1 yard line. There was one against Oshkosh. The ball clearly came to a rest and was touched inches from the goal line, yet the official places that ball squarely on the 1 yard hash mark. What is the rule? Does the ball always go to the nearest hash mark by rule? Any official/someone in the know care to enlighten me.  It just looks like officials these days have a serious lack of attention to detail when it comes to ball placement.  I realize in the whole realm of things it's meaningless, but it's really beginning to bug me when I continually see this.

[KitchenSink]

I've been a high school official for 10 years.

There is an unwritten rule amongst officials that you always start 1st and 10 exactly on a yard line (actually on a 5 or 10 if possible).  Basically trying to avoid needing measurements.  If you look closely at wing officials, they will use that and mark ball carriers a foot or two (or even a yard) different from the true spot the runner is down to make it clearly a first down, or clearly short. (unless it's a difference making play-4th down, etc)

Different crews will stretch this even further, though.  I get frustrated when I see a runner get two inches past the 26 yard line, bringing up 2nd and long - but when the ball is tossed to the umpire to place it on the hash mark, it's nosing up to the 27.  It's lazy officiating, IMHO.  But it even happens on Sundays sometimes.

[voice]

I've been a high school official for 10 years.

There is an unwritten rule amongst officials that you always start 1st and 10 exactly on a yard line (actually on a 5 or 10 if possible).  Basically trying to avoid needing measurements.  If you look closely at wing officials, they will use that and mark ball carriers a foot or two (or even a yard) different from the true spot the runner is down to make it clearly a first down, or clearly short. (unless it's a difference making play-4th down, etc)

Different crews will stretch this even further, though.  I get frustrated when I see a runner get two inches past the 26 yard line, bringing up 2nd and long - but when the ball is tossed to the umpire to place it on the hash mark, it's nosing up to the 27.  It's lazy officiating, IMHO.  But it even happens on Sundays sometimes.

Great explanation Sink!

[02 Warhawk]

I've been a high school official for 10 years.

There is an unwritten rule amongst officials that you always start 1st and 10 exactly on a yard line (actually on a 5 or 10 if possible).  Basically trying to avoid needing measurements.  If you look closely at wing officials, they will use that and mark ball carriers a foot or two (or even a yard) different from the true spot the runner is down to make it clearly a first down, or clearly short. (unless it's a difference making play-4th down, etc)

Different crews will stretch this even further, though.  I get frustrated when I see a runner get two inches past the 26 yard line, bringing up 2nd and long - but when the ball is tossed to the umpire to place it on the hash mark, it's nosing up to the 27.  It's lazy officiating, IMHO.  But it even happens on Sundays sometimes.

Very interesting, I've never noticed that before.

[bleedpurple]

I've been a high school official for 10 years.

There is an unwritten rule amongst officials that you always start 1st and 10 exactly on a yard line (actually on a 5 or 10 if possible).  Basically trying to avoid needing measurements.  If you look closely at wing officials, they will use that and mark ball carriers a foot or two (or even a yard) different from the true spot the runner is down to make it clearly a first down, or clearly short. (unless it's a difference making play-4th down, etc)

Different crews will stretch this even further, though.  I get frustrated when I see a runner get two inches past the 26 yard line, bringing up 2nd and long - but when the ball is tossed to the umpire to place it on the hash mark, it's nosing up to the 27.  It's lazy officiating, IMHO.  But it even happens on Sundays sometimes.

Great explanation Sink!

That IS a great explanation, thanks KS! It is a bit frustrating, though, and I certainly think any "rounding off" to the next yard line would be less appropriate when the ball rests that close to the goal line.

Meanwhile, this is the rule according to the NCAA 2013 and 2014 Rules and Interpretations Publication:

Spot Where Kick Ends
ARTICLE 9. A scrimmage kick that crosses the neutral zone ends at the spot
where it is caught or recovered or where the ball is declared dead by rule (Rule
2-16-1-c)

Postscrimmage Kick Spot
ARTICLE 11. The postscrimmage kick spot serves as the basic spot when
postscrimmage kick enforcement applies (Rule 10-2-3).
a. When the kick ends in the field of play, other than in the special cases given
below, the postscrimmage kick spot is the spot where the kick ends.
b. When the kick ends in Team B's end zone, the postscrimmage kick spot is
Team B's 20-yard line.
Special cases:
1. On an unsuccessful field goal attempt, if the ball is untouched by Team
B after crossing the neutral zone and is declared dead beyond the neutral
zone, the postscrimmage kick spot is:
(a) The previous spot, if the previous spot is on or outside Team B's
20-yard line; (A.R. 10-2-3-V)
(b) Team B's 20-yard line, if the previous spot is between Team B's
20-yard line and its goal line.
2. When Rule 6-3-11 is in effect, the postscrimmage kick spot is Team B's
20-yard line.
3. When Rule 6-5-1-b is in effect, the postscrimmage kick spot is the spot
where the receiver first touched the kick.

[retagent]

In effect, it also happens every time the ball is turned over, either a fumble or on downs. They never move the ball. Since the front edge of the ball marks the line of scrimmage, when it's heading south - the south end of the ball. When it's turned over to go north, they still leave the ball as is, and the then deffensive team loses, in effect, the length of the football. Does anyone follow that? If not, it's because it probably makes no difference, and it's a consistent action. It's as if we look for things to bi#(h about. I'm going out now to get a life.

[emma17]

It's actually pretty rare that we have a unanimous No. 1 -- the stretch to begin this season might have been unprecedented in the poll's 12-year history.

I actually think it shows great respect to UWW that only two pollsters have selected other teams.  Given the dominating performances by UMHB and Mt this season, to only have two pollsters move from UWW to other teams with the big blow outs, IMO, shows they have a real understanding of the D3 landscape.   

[voice]

Potential record crowd forecast for Saturday's UWW @ Platteville game at Pioneer Stadium.
UWP has issued a release on parking procedures to be in effect for Saturday's game...

http://www.uwplattevillefootball.com/letter-from-ad-molesworth-2/

[MasterJedi]

Potential record crowd forecast for Saturday's UWW @ Platteville game at Pioneer Stadium.
UWP has issued a release on parking procedures to be in effect for Saturday's game...

http://www.uwplattevillefootball.com/letter-from-ad-molesworth-2/

I doubt they even come close to beating the 13,627 from Saturday's game.

[voice]

I meant a Pioneer Stadium record crowd.  Does anyone know what the Pioneer Stadium record crowd currently is?

[NewHawk]

^^ I was yelling at my computer screen watching the game wondering when those officials were going to call holding on Oshkosh's O-line because in my view, there was some blatant grabs not being called consistently throughout the game. That one cleverly timed photo showing #79 on UW-O holding & pulling on the jersey of John Flood confirms what I saw Saturday (even if it was just one play) - even though it was never called during the game.

Another thing that I've seen on many games this year more than any other year are ball placements - especially punts that are downed "inside" the 1 yard line. There was one against Oshkosh. The ball clearly came to a rest and was touched inches from the goal line, yet the official places that ball squarely on the 1 yard hash mark. What is the rule? Does the ball always go to the nearest hash mark by rule? Any official/someone in the know care to enlighten me.  It just looks like officials these days have a serious lack of attention to detail when it comes to ball placement.  I realize in the whole realm of things it's meaningless, but it's really beginning to bug me when I continually see this.

Number 72 on OshKosh O-line did a lot of holding and if you go through the game tape you will see him throw a punch after a play that went unnoticed by the officials. They came into the game expecting to win and got very frustrated when they were completely unable to move the ball.  All in all a superior job by the defense in spite of some of the missed calls. It could be worse...we could have SEC crews

[bleedpurple]

It's actually pretty rare that we have a unanimous No. 1 -- the stretch to begin this season might have been unprecedented in the poll's 12-year history.

I actually think it shows great respect to UWW that only two pollsters have selected other teams.  Given the dominating performances by UMHB and Mt this season, to only have two pollsters move from UWW to other teams with the big blow outs, IMO, shows they have a real understanding of the D3 landscape.

I shouldn't speak for those who noted the change, but I am guessing almost all UW-W fans agree. I am pretty sure it was brought up as an interesting thing to talk about rather than as a complaint. It is fun to watch the vote totals and then try to put yourself in the minds of the voters.

[voice]

It's actually pretty rare that we have a unanimous No. 1 -- the stretch to begin this season might have been unprecedented in the poll's 12-year history.

I actually think it shows great respect to UWW that only two pollsters have selected other teams.  Given the dominating performances by UMHB and Mt this season, to only have two pollsters move from UWW to other teams with the big blow outs, IMO, shows they have a real understanding of the D3 landscape.

I shouldn't speak for those who noted the change, but I am guessing almost all UW-W fans agree. I am pretty sure it was brought up as an interesting thing to talk about rather than as a complaint. It is fun to watch the vote totals and then try to put yourself in the minds of the voters.

Attitude for Whitewater is win your games and don't even worry about the Top 25.  Winning games in the postseason is really the true barometer.

[BoBo]

I've been a high school official for 10 years.

There is an unwritten rule amongst officials that you always start 1st and 10 exactly on a yard line (actually on a 5 or 10 if possible).  Basically trying to avoid needing measurements.  If you look closely at wing officials, they will use that and mark ball carriers a foot or two (or even a yard) different from the true spot the runner is down to make it clearly a first down, or clearly short. (unless it's a difference making play-4th down, etc)

Different crews will stretch this even further, though.  I get frustrated when I see a runner get two inches past the 26 yard line, bringing up 2nd and long - but when the ball is tossed to the umpire to place it on the hash mark, it's nosing up to the 27.  It's lazy officiating, IMHO.  But it even happens on Sundays sometimes.

Great explanation Sink!

That IS a great explanation, thanks KS! It is a bit frustrating, though, and I certainly think any "rounding off" to the next yard line would be less appropriate when the ball rests that close to the goal line.

Meanwhile, this is the rule according to the NCAA 2013 and 2014 Rules and Interpretations Publication:

Spot Where Kick Ends
ARTICLE 9. A scrimmage kick that crosses the neutral zone ends at the spot
where it is caught or recovered or where the ball is declared dead by rule (Rule
2-16-1-c)

Postscrimmage Kick Spot
ARTICLE 11. The postscrimmage kick spot serves as the basic spot when
postscrimmage kick enforcement applies (Rule 10-2-3).
a. When the kick ends in the field of play, other than in the special cases given
below, the postscrimmage kick spot is the spot where the kick ends.
b. When the kick ends in Team B's end zone, the postscrimmage kick spot is
Team B's 20-yard line.
Special cases:
1. On an unsuccessful field goal attempt, if the ball is untouched by Team
B after crossing the neutral zone and is declared dead beyond the neutral
zone, the postscrimmage kick spot is:
(a) The previous spot, if the previous spot is on or outside Team B's
20-yard line; (A.R. 10-2-3-V)
(b) Team B's 20-yard line, if the previous spot is between Team B's
20-yard line and its goal line.
2. When Rule 6-3-11 is in effect, the postscrimmage kick spot is Team B's
20-yard line.
3. When Rule 6-5-1-b is in effect, the postscrimmage kick spot is the spot
where the receiver first touched the kick.

Thanks K'sink for the nice explanation...lazy officiating has been the cause of so many problems lately, including the WI/ASU end of game fiasco last year. The goal line instance is the one that really irks me.

[BoBo]

It's actually pretty rare that we have a unanimous No. 1 -- the stretch to begin this season might have been unprecedented in the poll's 12-year history.

I actually think it shows great respect to UWW that only two pollsters have selected other teams.  Given the dominating performances by UMHB and Mt this season, to only have two pollsters move from UWW to other teams with the big blow outs, IMO, shows they have a real understanding of the D3 landscape.

But, it also shows who the real homers are, too - the two who changed that is. By now, these voters should know that Mount and MHB do this to their conference 'Little sisters of the poor' opponents every year. The fact is, it happens every week which tells you what the competition is like where they play. Sure the WIAC has some poor teams too, but it doesn't run from top to bottom like some of those other conferences do. Just my humble opinion!!