Nick Saban submitted controversial call to SEC office
One of the biggest controversial calls we’ll see all season happened in the Alabama-Ole Miss game.
When Chad Kelly rolled out nearing the line of scrimmage, he hit the 73-yard pop-pass for a touchdown. The officials immediately ruled that Kelly had crossed the line of scrimmage before he let go of the football, but the call was reversed, thus giving the Rebels a critical touchdown.
Saban confirmed Wednesday that Alabama sent the replay into the league’s office for clarification on the play and lineman who appeared downfield, according to CBS Sports, which is not a reviewable call under the current rule.
However, Saban didn’t blame the touchdown on the missed call Wednesday.
“These plays get blocked just like running plays, and people are running down the field,” Saban said on the SEC’s coaches teleconference. “So it looks like a run, but somebody’s running out for a pass. Hey, we work on these plays, we should cover them, we know what the rules are. We have to execute and do it correctly, which we did not.
“It’s not about the rules or anything else, but if there was anything we’d look at, that’s what I would say we should look at.”
The current rule allows ineligible receivers to move just three yards downfield. As you can see by the image below, the lineman appears to be five yards downfield.
Blown call. His leg is still in the backfield. pic.twitter.com/ycSPnVHAjv
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) September 20, 2015
Here’s the video replay:
Whiny Nick. Auburn beat him with a similar play in 2013 and he’s still complaining!
Why send a play with a non-reviewable foul? The rule needs to allow a bit more downfield motion and then enforce that. Refs rarely call that on anyone 4-5 yds downfield now. We can all relate to the fact there is usually a penalty somewhere on every play (holding, illegal block, etc) that does not get called.
And yes, the original call on the field was a bit pathetic since the QB was only about 1/2 across the line.
He’s sending it so that the rule can be updated. I think 1 yard is good enough, 5 yards just shows too much of a run look and is unfair to the defense.
The rule in college is 3 yards and the lineman was probably 4 during the pass release, so probably a tough call to make. Nfl is 1 yard.
He’s probably about five yard actually, but I agree with you. Its ticky tack. It happened in the LSU-Auburn game with basically the same result and call. Johnson was close to be across the line, and there was a lineman past the three yard mark too. The touchdown went to Auburn. Personally, I think its not that big of a deal on either of these plays. However, when lineman are more than 5 yards, that’s a little much. In both of these instances, that wasn’t the case.
I know it’s 3 yards but they give them some leeway. At some point there can’t be any leeway. I think having a defined, STRICT set of rules would be the most fair.
It’s unfair to teach defenders to read the guards to see where the play is going, only to have the guards sprint downfield and run block and then throw a pass. I personally think it should just be one yard and heavily enforced.
Yes it’s all about Auburn’s opinion. The NFL requires linemen to block 1 yard from LOS. This is something that must be done. The CB on this play rightfully thought the QB had passed the line, thus making him a runner on a running play, no coverage. Any other fooball play, any part of the person crosses the line and ti counts, on this play the entire player has to be across. Example if I have i fingernail offside it’s offside, the QB can have everything but 1 toenail across the line and he’s still good to go. This creates an unfair situation for any defense. The rule needs to be changed. Steve Shaw said today, the offical who makes the call on lineman downfield has to “take a snap shot ” in his mind of where the QB and ball is and where the lineman is. Only problem is the official is looking into the line, not at the QB. The Lineman downfield needs to be a video review.
3 yards in college.
Video clearly shows 5 yards
I don’t speak for Auburn, I speak for myself. The NFL rule is totally irrelevant here – this is college. If the CB makes a misjudgment where the QB is, it is HIS fault, not the QB, or officials fault. There are plenty of officials to watch the play and changing the rule would not change what they have to watch. The officials err on the side of the defense in a close play like this by throwing the flag so it can be reviewed – they do this on quite a few calls including possession, in/out-of-bounds, TD or short, and targeting. My point about linemen downfield is change it to more yards, but enforce it whatever it is. Players play to what they can get away with, and when officials let it slide most of the time, players continue doing it.
First of all the NFL rule doesn’t apply. Secondly, the CB wasn’t watching for where the linemen were to make his move. If the CB thought the QB had crossed the line, he was wrong. Bottom line Alabama got beat in their own house!
You are correct; they did. On this particular play, it should have been called back. No touchdown. Critical game, critical play, missed call. Of course it matters! Lots of big money at stake but I hope it stays in the SEC!!
The refs missed a flag and you think it changed the game? I remember last year at oxford the refs missed a clear facemask that went for a td right before half. Changed the momentum right before half. obviously there are missed calls in every game. The better team will figure out how to push past it
And the worst part about Saban constantly crying after this game (“We gave it away, we gave them the game”) is it trickles down to the Bama fans and gives them something to try and discredit any team that beats them. Its never “yea, we got by a better team.” its always “if we played 10 times we would win 7. We gave that one to yall”. When Bama forces turnovers its b/c they are a good team. When another team forces Bama to turn it over its b/c Bama “gave it away” as if its some fluke.
Nick, Ole Miss has a better QB, better WRs, better kickers, a better secondary and just as good a DLine. They got a better team this year and you got beat, again. Just man up. Maybe that will allow your fans to man up too.
Bama “gave away the win” to Ole Miss?
Ole Miss got a lucky TD on a tip six = Bama got lucky to recover an outside kick 30 yards down the field and scored (that rarely happens)
Bama gave ole miss a turnover with a fumbled kick = Ole Miss gave Bama a free pass on the dropped Denzel Knemdiche INT right in his hands
Bama gave ole miss a turnover with a fumbled kick = Ole Miss gave Bama a free pass on the dropped K Webster INT right in his hands that would have ice’d the game.
Bama got lucky Tony Bridges took a knee after an INT with 4 mins to go and didnt return 30 yards like he should have which would have helped Ice the game.
Chad Kelly missed a very long deep pass to an open WR in the first (actually the WR slowed down and lost a step). Should have been a TD.
My point is, Ole Miss didnt play perfect. Its called football Nick. You lost. At home. Again. Stop crying and give the other team some credit.
Nobody is crying. Missed calls in critical ( and all) games need to examined. It doesn’t matter what team it is.
Lucky bounces, tipped passes and blown calls by referees are not the same mistakes made by players. Let’s not conflate the two just to try to make a point.
crimsongrits, is that what went through your mind last year on the missed call on a blatant facemask that lead to an alabama td?
Auburn used the same play,also with linemen too far down field,resulting in a touchdown against LSU. You don’t see them crying about it.Grow up,Saban.Take a loss like a man.What kind of message are you sending your players if you don’t learn to lose like a good sport?
They’re not crying about it because they embarrassed Auburn on the scoreboard and won. In case you forgot. That’s plenty of reason. They man-raped Auburn. They don’t care about that damn play.
It’s a rule that needs to be looked at for everybody’s well being. It’s a cue defenders look for to see if it’s a run or pass play.
BTW LSU probably felt sorry enough for you all by beating you by 30!!
HEY STUPID IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HE SAID. THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE COVERED THE GUY AND THEY DIDN’T. HE IS POINTING OUT ABOUT A GUY 5 YARDS DOWN FIELD .THAT THE REFS NEED TO WATCH THAT MORE CLOSELY. IF THE REFS CALLED IT CORRECTLY THE PLAY WOULD HAVE NOT COUNTED AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A PENALTY. BUT I SEE YOUR FROM AUBUM AND PROBABLY CAN’T COMPREHEND IT.
Why are you screaming?
He doesn’t know where the “Caps Lock” key is.
Oh yeah – I am awed by your skills.
NOT.
no doubt…lol
On a critical play that changed the outcome of the game, a missed call should be brought to the attention of the Officials. The refs that miss too many calls are replaced. This was called back and not a touchdown. Good ole Gus would be remiss and fail his team if he did not do the same. If Tubberville would have stood up and fought for his undefeated team, AU might have been NCs. NCAA has to learn to get this right.
Saban is always complaining about something every time a game doesn’t go his way. Just take the loss and move on.
It was a run play everyone in the field i blocking for run except one reciever and th qb. We can leabe the rule inn place and in the future everyone starts doing it. Then we can watch defenses become obsolete and settle in for 70-60 shootouts. Or we can update the rule and enforce it like the NFL and stop giving offenses many advantages. Nowdays you have to tag receivers and offer the qb a reparation check if you look at him wrong. Pathetic how much of an advantage offenses have.
Out of 111 games at Bama only 18 haven’t went his way. Don’t think that would fall in the category of “always”! Lol
Out of those 18 times, usually when he loses, he complains. Although he may have a decent reason this time, he usually complaining when he loses. He doesn’t lose often, I get that, but that doesn’t justify the fact that when he does lose, it’s okay to complain to the SEC about it. I watched that game and most of that game UM kicked Bama all through that game. The game was actually more lopsided then the score indicated because Ole Miss took their foot off the pedal and Alabama almost came back and won. I probably shouldn’t have said “always” because he probably don’t do it always, but most of his defeats, he complained about it instead of just taking the loss (because no matter how you look at it, a loss is a loss), fixed up their mistakes and move on to the next game, just like that time he complained about fast tempo offenses. There’s always next year.
Just another HUNA fan trying to justify rule breaking so his offense can keep flourishing. Feels great to get away with one on a win. Are yall really that irrelevant?
Who said he’s complaining? Every team makes reports to the league after almost every single game. This is not some special situation. I’ll bet Les Miles even reported Auburns play after their game. Only reason this is in the news is…,it’s Nick Saban. He can’t blow his nose without the press making a big deal out of it.
You are absolutely correct that the game was more lopsided than the score showed. It encouraging to know that a MSU fan can be objective. You obviously watched the game and studied the game stats closely. If I could have one wish it would be that Nick would be more like Dan Mullen after he loses games and just cry quietly into his pillow at night.
bring back th ” lineman eligible ” play that auburn whined about till it was killed ! yes auburn beat us,,,,,,th season AINT OVER yet tho,,,,,SEE YALL IN TH PLAYOFFS ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ROLL TIDE ROLL !
Um, you haven’t played Auburn yet?
Submit some citation that Auburn “whined” about a play.
I hope he also submitted the lack of a call on the batting forward of the onside kick. I’m sure he found that problematic as well.
Watch a volleyball game and learn what batting the ball consists of.
Alabama is using volleyball rules for football?!?!?!? You are really slipping!
Pretty sure they are called volleyball matches. Are you saying that the head ref of officiating for the SEC is wrong and he needs to watch a “volleyball game” so he better understands football? Even he said you guys illegally batted the onside kick and, thus, it should have been called Ole Miss ball. I don’t disagree with Nick that the lineman was down field. My only thought is whether he has as much problem with the refs missing calls that helped y’all lose by less.
It is clear there was an ineligible receiver down field, that is indisputable, but it is easy to understand why the refs missed it. What needs to be fixed, is moving the 3 yards to 1 yard like the NFL, and breaking the plane of the LOS, like the NFL. Then the refs can easily see if they broke the 1 yard rule. DONE. Review the breaking the plane, DONE. NFL has this crap figured out, why can’t the NCAA?
Kelly’s pass would’ve been legal in the NFL. Entire body and ball have to be across for it to be illegal.
spot on
It should be reported. This is a problem for any defense faced with this situation. The rules say a lineman cannot be 5 yards downfield on a pass play. The defenders see a lineman 5 yards downfield and assume it’s a run play. The officials just need to do something about it, whatever it is that they decide to do. The play gave Ole Miss an unfair advantage, plain and simple. It could happen in any game to any defense.
Alabama is the only team it ever happens to
No they are not, it happens almost weekly. Typical barner, can’t get away from spouting lies.
He’s talking about whining by Saban.
Dude, Saban is the only one who gets burned by it over and over for long touchdowns and then goes crying to the SEC like a spoiled a$$ tattle tale. It’s pretty simple. Stop crashing the corners in on the read-option.
No, but our coach fights for his team. If Tubberville would have fought for AU the year ya’ll were undefeated, AU might have been NC.
Using bammer logic, we are the ’04 champs. Only undefeated team besides USC if im not mistaken. And since USC had to forfeit that season, that means we won. And I’m not opposed to claiming it. If it’s good for the goose…
yea, for sure, that Cornerback was reading the backside guard who was approximately two yards downfield when he bit on the play, made the decision to leave his man (the WR who caught the ball) and charged up to the line of scrimmage.
The CB got fooled. Lineman or no lineman.
Thats a backup frosh lineman who was in there that did something dumb. If, by chance it had been called.. it would have been a super lucky break for Bama on a play they clearly got beat on. In the end, it was completely irrelevant to that TD.
That is so stupid. How can anybody feel the need for justification enough to make a statement like that.
Don’t watch much football, huh?
i suspect the rules committee will take it up next season; either moving it to 1 yard where it probably should be and where it can be more effectively officiated; or att he very least, making it a review-able call.
you are correct. this is in everyone’s interest except those that are “coaching” to push the boundary since officials can’t see it and review it…those that need more trickery than others.
Funny because Saban/Kiffin used this same type play last season in the playoffs.
He may be whining in your opinion but if it happened to Gus, he would be doing the same thing. That rule is way wrong and needs to be changed. 1 yard is plenty.
Nope – have not seen Gus whining about that or any other call. He calls them as he sees them – when we get whipped he says so.
You’re right. But he does whine about having to play in the SEC, now we know why.
the undisputed recruiting national champion for half a decade still complains too much and has let the last two titles slip from his hands despite all those five stars
Everyone does realize that head coaches sends questionable calls plays in for review all the time?
Ha people put Saban and Bama as a whole under such a microscope and scrutinize every little thing so it is only common for all the controversy over this simple act of a coach bringing something to attention which will benefit their defenses as well.
Sometimes.
absolutely :)
Sorry Alabama… I looked into my crystal ball and it showed where the penalty was called and Ole Miss was penalized and the touchdown was called back thus taking away 7 points which might have allowed Alabama to eventually win the game but my never fail crystal ball revealed that the very next play, Ole Miss ran the ball for a long touchdown and went for and got a two-point conversion thus winning 44-37.
If we are gonna cry about missed calls, what about the batted ball by Bama on the onside kick??? Cant do that Bama, shoulda been a flag, let it go its over, That’s not the play that beat you, it was the 5 turnovers that beat you Saban!
Smell your fingers there Ole Miss. Your crystal ball holder got some brown on it.
LOL, all I know is that was the longest 4 hours a of Bama fan’s life !
Get over it we were up 20 & 19 pts and the LandSharks took 100 SNAPS FROM THE GREAT BAMA FOOTBALL TEAM – and they should of had 8 man handled take aways not 5.
So what if he sent it in. It’s his prerogative and coaches do it all the time for clarification or complaint.
Considering it happened twice this past weekend, it’s probably wise to make it an issue. It won’t change the outcome, but the refs might be a little more diligent in calling these infractions..
Actually it happened at least twice in this game, Our center was 6 yds downfield on a big gainer for Bama that also went uncalled.
absolutely
It has nothing to do with being whiney. Are Americans whiney when they complain about the millions of mexicans crossing the borders illegally? There is such a thing as Right and Wrong and there is no justification for wrong.
The problem Malzahn (Awbarn) want to keep cheating is because their HUNH offense is built on the assumption that they can get away with breaking the rule. All HUNA teams use this in one form or another. Changing this rule will make the options on each play Pass, run,run instead of run, run, pass.
The really sad part of the whole deal is that these coaches and schools feel it’s OK to break the rules to get them a win. It should go back to the one yard it use to be and the replay officials should be empowered to call it the same way they do head to head contact.
That is possibly the dumbest post I have seen here for a long time.
Cheating? You mean running an offense that is designed to keep the defense from substituting easily (well within the rules)? An offense that Saban and Bielema whined about wanting a rules change because they had trouble defensing them? The HUNH is a style of play that is penalized just like any other offense. Looks like at least Kiffin is moving to a hurryup – running 100 plays and all.
Many targeting calls are made precisely to get a second look. It is a safety issue. Lineman downfield is not a safety issue and the replay rules clearly list things that can, or cannot, be reviewed. If they did not, games would last 6 hours.
So if the ball was still in his hand as his hand crossed the first down marker, would it be a first down? AND a first down without him going past the line of scrimmage according to interpretation? You can throw a forward pass for a touchdown after you’ve made a first down but you’re still behind the line of scrimmage. Sign of the apocalypse. The end is near……..
Best comment of the day.
2nd that
Don’t conflate two rules. They are what they are until changed.
Calls are missed. It happens several times during a games. One missed call hurts one team, the next missed call hurts another. It is the human element. They can’t see everything. Coaches send videos to the league office after pretty much every league game. It helps improve the officiating and helps coaches and officials be on the same page. I imagine that Freeze sent one as well.
Well yes the person was 4yds down field but, let’s say the QB is running the ball but, is scrambling on a run play and runs left to right instead then finally WR gets open and he cleanly throws from behind the line but, then the line is 5yds past the LOS well they thought it was a run all the way play and still blocking. Would that be illegal also?
Did he forget to send in the OJ TD catch his lineman was 5yds downfield as well. It happened at the 6:35 mark in the 3rd in the Wisconsin game it was 21-7 and TD pass to OJ Howard and Alabama lineman down field 5yds clear as day.
Sorry wasn’t a TD but, lineman was clearly way past the 3yd rule. #70 is who it was
Who cares? Bama gave the game away with all the turnovers, anyway.
Ole Miss took the game away by forcing 5 turnovers and that’s the way I see it. I’ve met several bama fans and I rarely meet one that admits their team actually lost a game without some excuse of they gave the game away. It’s really pathetic.
Everyone knows Bama can’t loose. They can only beat themselves.
Ole Miss forced 5 turnovers? You need to actually watch the game one time. Ole Miss was not even near Stewart on the first fumble. The next 2 Kick Offs were fumbled because of the jitters. Hell one was before he even stepped out of the End Zone (thankfully picked back up). The INT’s you could argue were due to pressure, or I could argue that they were just terrible decisions. Either way Ole Miss did what they needed to win and Bama didn’t. I have no problem admitting that Bama lost but you and I both know that they should have won that game.
$aban whines because of a missed call against him but he fails to realize how many times his DBs get away with early hits while the ball is in the air. Don’t forget how Ole Miss was drawn offside by their center moving the ball to give bama 1st down on a 4th and short. I don’t recall $aban crying about the time the refs gave them more time to come back against Arkansas and when the clock should have run out. Can anyone count on their fingers how many times bama has been the beneficiary of an amazing 2 yard gain from a spot…I don’t believe I have enough fingers. Does it seem to help that the refs HQ is in Birmingham? I think so!
General question. If the rule about a QB is that if he’s got even a toe behind the line hes good. Does the same apply to the lineman? OL guys right foot is right at 3 yards from the LoS.
Really? We’re gonna wait 4-5 days after the game to do this? What is Saban trying to do? Face it, we’ve all had calls that have worked in our favor and against… no one is perfect and to send in after the fact isn’t going to accomplish anything other than making Alabama look like cry babies. I’m no Ole Miss fan by any stretch.. But there is no sense trying to make something of a bad call that really can’t do anything.. what are they gonna do.. make them go back and run the play again?
I’ve always respected Saben, probably the best active coach. However, this really comes across as whiney, and it’s then amplified by the fan base.
I don’t give a rat’s a___ what they do in the NFL because your opinion is as irrelevant as mine. You play football according to the rules of the game today, all else is BS. The refs can’t carry around a tape measure and there has to be a leeway, 1 yard, maybe 2. However, it must be equally enforced throughout all conferences, just like any other rule. It’s your job as a coach to tell the DBs, inside of 5 yards, play pass, >5 play run. Assuming it’s enforced consistently, you coach to the rules, not whine about it. Even if he was beyond the leeway and it was a missed call, get over it. Like most are stating, it’s part of the game, just like holding.
You have a great program Bama, but if you come across as whiney, it really cheapens the brand.
I guess nobody noticed that there are actually at least three ineligible receivers downfield. Wouldn’t have won Bama the game, but I’d send it in, too. You push that many lineman forward, you know you can get away with it, that’s a pervasive laxness in enforcement.
Having said that, I this is another example of Freeze outcoaching Buford and son. He knew what he could risk to make the play, and that’s what he did. It was, in several ways, quite brilliant. If SEC officials weren’t so lax, he would have sold it some other way or found another suitable play. Unfortunately, for some, I bet there will be a crackdown, now for all the attention it’s getting.
What he called about is irrelevant. If they play was incorrectly called is irrelevant. What is relevant was the looks of disbelief and shock on the spoiled Bama babies as they got their butts handed to them on a platter at home by a far better team.
Its not about the call but I sent it to the league office just for their kicks and grins.
Walton got hit helmet to helmet that wasnt called. Their was a block in the back on one of bamas runs. Blah blah blah. Wonder what Saby thought of the facemask fumble for 6 last year,or the ending of the 07 game. Its the beginning of the end for Saby. Starting to sound like Spurrier.
The facemask from last year that went for a td is what I thought of when I read this. Missed calls every week, this one just happened to go against them and they lost.
It’s a tough call to make during live action, even with the now extra referee. However, if it is going to be a “rule” then it should be a reviewable play that can be overturned by video evidence, just as reviewing where the QB was at when he released the ball. If you can’t enforce this rule then it needs to not be a rule. Why have a rule that you can’t enforce or don’t enforce? On the line of scrimmage, the call should be that at least a portion of the QB’s body/foot be on the ground behind the line of scrimmage when the ball is released. Chad Kelly was in mid air. Look this call did not beat Bama, Ole Miss beat us. They took advantage of multiple mistakes Bama made, no excuses, Ole Miss has a lot of talent and you can’t play teams like that and expect to be competitive unless you bring your A Game. Congrats Ole Miss!
You’re getting into the area of challenging all penalties? You want the booth to review every play to make sure no penalites were missed? There’s holding every play, it’s just not always called.
SOMEBODY CALL THE WAAHHHHBULANCE
I had one of the best steaks ever for dinner last night. I thought it was one of the best things I’ve had..however, I find Bama Tears are 10x more delicious. Honestly, I couldn’t have another bite.
All yall complaining of a missed call on a lineman too far down field ,maybe so. I dont see any of you talking about the onside kick alabama recovered when it clearly shows that bama player batted the ball foward ( illegal ) and recovered the ball. Just suck it up buttercup yall lost to a better team #olemissrebels
He should have just sent in the entire game video when Alabama is on offense, their linemen hold every single play, but you don’t see any whiney crybabies submitting those now do you?
Thought it was interesting to look where the scrimmage line stick is and not the video line. Still close.
I think Saban is a whiner but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a point. The lineman is too far downfield. I agree with DoctorLarry, it has too much of a run look and is unfair to the defense.
Cry more loser. What a scumbag.
Nick give it a rest you LOSER!!!!!! Hahahahahaha!
I’m sure Coach Freeze will give that TD back as soon as Little Nicky gives back the facemask touchdown from last year. Suck it up, Updykes. your time is past.
doctor? Seriously? Well, lil’ lari, if you don’t have some big time whining and resentment going, why are you even bothering to comment on the article? Frankly, the colors orange and blue disgust me, and at least Nick Saban has something to accomplish here! Not like ‘that other team’ who’s player’s forgot to get on the bus and never made it to Death Valley.