[NU Sports] Big Ten bowls ... 0-1 (fwd)

[Mike Nolan]

> Once again, I think the guys in the broadcast booth eventually got it right 
> when they noted that it should have been offsetting penalties.  Unless they 
> actually counted the number of people from each team on the field and gave 
> out individual penalties.  But the outclassed officials were saved from 
> having to make that call when the only two Nebraska players who bothered to 
> listen for a whistle made the tackle.  But damn, that  was close!

It would have relegated the Stanford Band play to 2nd place, that's for
sure!  

While a half cannot end on a defensive penalty, I think in the event
of offsetting penalties there is no such provision, and also no provision 
to restore any time on the clock.  Thus as the time had expired the game 
would have been over.  I'll ask a former Big 8 official I know about that 
one.  (I think he was in San Antonio, though, so I may not get an answer 
for a few days.)

I have my suspicion that the final play of the Nebraska-Michigan game will
get shown at officiating meetings all over the country next summer!

I also agree with John's comment about the officials being out of their
depth, though I believe the officials were from the Sun West conference, 
not the Southern conference.  Among other things, they didn't seem to be 
aware that coaches in BCS conferences teach their offensive linemen how 
to hold and (mostly) get away with it, Michigan was once again holding 
big-time most of the game and I think they only got tagged with it once, 
when the player basically got tackled in the backfield.  
--
Mike Nolan