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College football fans, media react to controversial no-call on apparent Michigan penalty
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College football fans and media had strong reactions to an apparent officiating mistake in the 1st quarter of Alabama’s semifinal game against Michigan.
Alabama was forced to punt on 4th and 4 late in the 1st quarter against the Wolverines. However, a Michigan player clearly made contact with Alabama punter James Burnip’s kicking leg but no flag was thrown.
ESPN’s rules analyst said a flag should have been thrown for running into the kicker, which would have given Alabama a crucial 1st down.
Here’s a replay of the contact with Burnip that was not called:
I mean, he ran into the kicker ?♂️ pic.twitter.com/YsUJ34CmIU
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) January 1, 2024
Burnip received medical attention on the field before limping off. If he can’t continue in this game, Alabama does have a couple of emergency options. Kicker Will Reichard punted for the Tide against Texas A&M this season. Alabama also has walk-on punter Nick Serpa dressed out for this game.
It’s been a chaotic start for Alabama so far this game. The Tide nearly had an interception on the 1st play of the game, but it was ruled that safety Caleb Downs stepped out of bounds prior to making the interception. Alabama also recovered a muffed punt in the 1st quarter, which led to the Tide’s only points of the frame.
After the no-call, Michigan ended up punting on its ensuing offensive possession. Still, the decision to not throw the flag generated plenty of reaction from across fans and media in college football:
How in the world does the punter get his kicking leg injured from direct contact from a rusher, and there’s no flag?
— Will Lowery (@jwlowery29) January 1, 2024
HE RAN RIGHT THRU JAMES BURNIP#PMSCFBRoseBowl pic.twitter.com/vsT4XREOu2
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 1, 2024
How can these refs be so bad? One job. One! Watch the punter.
— Steve Czaban (@czabe) January 1, 2024
Michigan Roughed the punter and got away with it WOW
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) January 1, 2024
Alabama punter James Burnip was hit so hard he’s down on the field.
No call.
Michigan gets help from the officials early.
— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) January 1, 2024
I want to say I’m stunned the refs missed the roughing the punter, but how can I be?
— Mitch Moss (@MitchMossRadio) January 1, 2024
Could definitely have flagged hitting the punter. Should never have flagged burying a defender while the play is still ongoing.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) January 1, 2024
No roughing the punter is WILD there
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) January 1, 2024
Michigan’s money earmarked for Connor Stallions going to the refs.
— David Kippe (@DavidTVF) January 1, 2024
That's a huge missed call for running into the kicker. Should be first down Alabama. Not sure how the ref didn't see that.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) January 1, 2024
Refs ignore an obvious running into kicker in Rose Bowl #BAMAvsMICH. Should be Alabama 1st down
— nflrefstats (@nflrefstats1) January 1, 2024
I mean that’s about as clear and obvious a running into the kicker call as you’ll ever see. Would have been a first down for Alabama.
Refs give a major break to Michigan
— College Football Watcher (@CFBWatcher) January 1, 2024
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
