ESPN rules analyst says officials made mistake on key play in Ole Miss-Florida game
By Mark Kern
Published:
There was a bit of controversy late in the first half between Ole Miss and Florida on Saturday night.
The Rebels kicked a field goal to cut the deficit to 21-20 shortly near the end of the second quarter. On the kick, Florida was called for a hands-to-the-face penalty. The officials said the penalty occurred after the kick, so the penalty was enforced on the kickoff.
However, according to ESPN rules analyst Jerry McGinn, that was not the correct call, as he said the Rebels should have been given a new set of downs.
“The play does not stop until the ball hits the net,” McGinn said. “And the ball has not hit the net yet when the foul occurred. So this should have been a live-ball foul, which would have given Ole Miss a first down.”
If the officials would have given the Rebels a new set of downs, they would have been in a goal-to-go situation where they could have retaken the lead with a touchdown. Ole Miss could have also run the clock down further. Instead, Florida held on to the lead and ultimately tacked on another field goal before the half.
At the break, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin expressed his frustration with the officials’ decision.
The Rebels entered Saturday night in complete control of their own destiny in terms of making it to the College Football Playoff.
