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It’s a hard call because, with slow motion video, so much attention is paid today to “the continuation of the play.” But in theory it should be no different than a fumble in the end zone. Matters not who eventually ends up with the ball or even if the ball rolled out of the end zone at the end of the play. A nano-second of control over the goal line is like instant freeze tag. The play is over regardless of what happens next.The ball moved, but there was no clear evidence that it wasn't controlled. Movement doesn't immediately mean he's juggling it. as long as he has control when his foot is down, TD.
There is some room to debate whether he had control when his foot touched in bounds because it was clear that he didn't immediately afterwards.Singleton got his foot down in time if he had control. The replay is not clear.
The ball moved, but there was no clear evidence that it wasn't controlled. Movement doesn't immediately mean he's juggling it. as long as he has control when his foot is down, TD.
There are differences, iiuc, between NFL rules on what defines a completed pass and NCAA rules (besides one foot vs two feet inbounds). I think in the NFL that would not have been a catch. I think in the NCAA it is.
I always wonder if there's some kind of orchestration for balancing calls out. Like they didn't review Singleton's TD, but the mothership looked at it afterwards and determined we shouldn't have gotten that TD, so they told the refs to shade calls towards WF.The NCAA Rules:
ARTICLE 3.
- To catch a ball means that a player:
- Secures control of a live ball in flight before the ball touches the ground, and
- Touches the ground in bounds with any part of his body, and then
- Maintains control of the ball long enough to enable him to perform an act common to the game, i.e., long enough to pitch or hand the ball, advance it, avoid or ward off an opponent, etc., and
- Satisfies paragraphs b, c, and d below.
- If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent) he must maintain complete and continuous control of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground, whether in the field of play or in the end zone. This is also required for a player attempting to make a catch at the sideline and going to the ground out of bounds. If he loses control of the ball which then touches the ground before he regains control, it is not a catch. If he regains control inbounds prior to the ball touching the ground it is a catch.
- If the player loses control of the ball while simultaneously touching the ground with any part of his body, or if there is doubt that the acts were simultaneous, it is not a catch. If a player has control of the ball, a slight movement of the ball, even if it touches the ground, will not be considered loss of possession; he must lose control of the ball in order for there to be a loss of possession.
- If the ball touches the ground after the player secures control and continues to maintain control, and the elements above are satisfied, it is a catch.
- An interception is a catch of an opponent’s pass or fumble.
- A catch by any kneeling or prone inbounds player is a completion or interception (Rules 7-3-6 and 7).
- A player recovers a ball if he fulfills the criteria in paragraphs a, b, c, and d for catching a ball that is still alive after hitting the ground.
- When in question, the catch, recovery or interception is not completed.
As was mentioned earlier, we are probably very fortunate this was not reviewed. From every replay I've seen it does not appear he maintained enough control while inbounds to stand up in replay. Considering the refs gifted WF a TD later in the game on a fairly egregious PI call, I'll gladly accept this one as trade.
SECTION 4. Catch, Recovery, Possession :: NCAA Football Rules Online
rulebook.github.io
The key words are “secure” and “control”.The NCAA Rules:
ARTICLE 3.
- To catch a ball means that a player:
- Secures control of a live ball in flight before the ball touches the ground, and
- Touches the ground in bounds with any part of his body, and then
- Maintains control of the ball long enough to enable him to perform an act common to the game, i.e., long enough to pitch or hand the ball, advance it, avoid or ward off an opponent, etc., and
- Satisfies paragraphs b, c, and d below.
- If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent) he must maintain complete and continuous control of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground, whether in the field of play or in the end zone. This is also required for a player attempting to make a catch at the sideline and going to the ground out of bounds. If he loses control of the ball which then touches the ground before he regains control, it is not a catch. If he regains control inbounds prior to the ball touching the ground it is a catch.
- If the player loses control of the ball while simultaneously touching the ground with any part of his body, or if there is doubt that the acts were simultaneous, it is not a catch. If a player has control of the ball, a slight movement of the ball, even if it touches the ground, will not be considered loss of possession; he must lose control of the ball in order for there to be a loss of possession.
- If the ball touches the ground after the player secures control and continues to maintain control, and the elements above are satisfied, it is a catch.
- An interception is a catch of an opponent’s pass or fumble.
- A catch by any kneeling or prone inbounds player is a completion or interception (Rules 7-3-6 and 7).
- A player recovers a ball if he fulfills the criteria in paragraphs a, b, c, and d for catching a ball that is still alive after hitting the ground.
- When in question, the catch, recovery or interception is not completed.
As was mentioned earlier, we are probably very fortunate this was not reviewed. From every replay I've seen it does not appear he maintained enough control while inbounds to stand up in replay. Considering the refs gifted WF a TD later in the game on a fairly egregious PI call, I'll gladly accept this one as trade.
SECTION 4. Catch, Recovery, Possession :: NCAA Football Rules Online
rulebook.github.io
This is when I think slow motion replay can be misleading. A blessing and a curse. How long does control have to be demonstrated? 1/10 of a second? 1/20 of a second? If the ball is continuously sliding in his grip that is different from it was secure for a fraction and then slipped.The key words are “secure” and “control”.
I just rewatched the catch a few times from the viewpoint of the camera in the end zone, stopping the action at the moment of the catch. Singleton “secures” the ball between his forearms as it comes down. It appears that he allows it to slide from the middle of his forearms into his hands as he goes out of bounds, thus the ball movement we see. However, at no time does it appear to me to be a loss of control, such as a bobble. It happens in one smooth movement. So from that perspective, I didn’t see anything warranting an overturn of the call on the field. Caveat: I am using my gold-tinted glasses.
The key words are “secure” and “control”.
I just rewatched the catch a few times from the viewpoint of the camera in the end zone, stopping the action at the moment of the catch. Singleton “secures” the ball between his forearms as it comes down. It appears that he allows it to slide from the middle of his forearms into his hands as he goes out of bounds, thus the ball movement we see. However, at no time does it appear to me to be a loss of control, such as a bobble. It happens in one smooth movement. So from that perspective, I didn’t see anything warranting an overturn of the call on the field. Caveat: I am using my gold-tinted glasses.
Completely agreeThe key words are “secure” and “control”.
I just rewatched the catch a few times from the viewpoint of the camera in the end zone, stopping the action at the moment of the catch. Singleton “secures” the ball between his forearms as it comes down. It appears that he allows it to slide from the middle of his forearms into his hands as he goes out of bounds, thus the ball movement we see. However, at no time does it appear to me to be a loss of control, such as a bobble. It happens in one smooth movement. So from that perspective, I didn’t see anything warranting an overturn of the call on the field. Caveat: I am using my gold-tinted glasses.
How long does control have to be demonstrated? 1/10 of a second? 1/20 of a second? If the ball is continuously sliding in his grip that is different from it was secure for a fraction and then slipped.
That's badass
Yeah, that’s clear as mud and doesn’t answer this particular question.
- Maintains control of the ball long enough to enable him to perform an act common to the game, i.e., long enough to pitch or hand the ball, advance it, avoid or ward off an opponent, etc., and...
Unpopular opinion - the final angle of the Kenan Johnson PI suggests - though admittedly does not confirm - a reasonable interpretation of PI. It appears there is a case that Johnson's right hand temporarily holds down the WR's left hand, which optically is confirmed by seeing the WR initially attempt the catch with just the right hand. It was only when they showed the final replay angle, after the bad PI narrative took hold, that I could see that argument. It's also why the closest ref was not positioned to make that call.
You can sorta see it here, though it's not the angle I'm referring to:
To somewhat redeem myself, here's an indisputably blown PI that still makes my blood boil:
Unpopular opinion - the final angle of the Kenan Johnson PI suggests - though admittedly does not confirm - a reasonable interpretation of PI. It appears there is a case that Johnson's right hand temporarily holds down the WR's left hand, which optically is confirmed by seeing the WR initially attempt the catch with just the right hand. It was only when they showed the final replay angle, after the bad PI narrative took hold, that I could see that argument. It's also why the closest ref was not positioned to make that call.
You can sorta see it here, though it's not the angle I'm referring to:
To somewhat redeem myself, here's an indisputably blown PI that still makes my blood boil:
I believe there are makeup calls. Refs realize they may have missed one and a borderline call further along goes the other way. It happens, in my observation and opinion.I always wonder if there's some kind of orchestration for balancing calls out. Like they didn't review Singleton's TD, but the mothership looked at it afterwards and determined we shouldn't have gotten that TD, so they told the refs to shade calls towards WF.
Yeah, that’s clear as mud and doesn’t answer this particular question.