Ad Disclosure
Coaches dancing and being hit with Gatorade showers were the highlights this week as teams wrapped up improbable bowl selections and rivalry upsets, most notably in Nashville.
Two recent trends in college football — targeting, and letting go of the football short of the goal line — were active across the SEC this week.
Here’s a look at the SEC’s questionable calls, bloopers and ejections from Week 13, the final week of the 2016 regular season.
Questionable calls
A hit on the Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois late in the fourth quarter was split along party lines, but ultimately not flagged for targeting.
Marcell Harris just ELIMINATED Deondre Francois. Legal, brutal hit just like Antonio Morrison on EJ Manuel.
— Alligator Army (@AlligatorArmy) November 27, 2016
Francois tried to slide, but got rocked after a huge hit. Could be a fumble. Could be targeting. Who knows? #Noles
— Orlando Sentinel-FSU (@osfsu) November 27, 2016
No targeting there after contact to Francois' head. #FSU defenders have been ejected for similar plays earlier this year.
— Curt Weiler (@CurtMWeiler) November 27, 2016
That was an incredibly scary hit there. Possibly targeting. Francois got lit up by Marcell Harris and fumbled. #FSU
— Jordan Culver (@JordanCulver) November 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/Blake_alex95/status/802730306243543040
The epidemic of players dropping the ball before crossing a goal line made its way to Missouri, but got passed the officials during the win over Arkansas.
WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING? pic.twitter.com/u4ntS5r6vr
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) November 25, 2016
Tell me why these refs at Missouri just GAVE that man that TD when he clearly didn't have it in his hand at the Goal Line? LOL 😑
— Farrah’s Luggage (@cassiejanae) November 25, 2016
Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs fumbled near midfield in the second half against Vanderbilt, but was initially ruled down before the play was reviewed and overturned.
Review says it's a Dobbs fumble and Vandy recovery. It would be a touchdown if not blown dead by the officials. Vols in trouble regardless.
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) November 27, 2016
Wow that looked like a fumble for Vandy. Returned it for a touchdown but Dobbs ruled down? tough to see
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) November 27, 2016
If they don't call that a fumble on Dobbs then I don't know what is. They've been hosing Vandy all night.
— Josh Rooks (@Rooks_4) November 27, 2016
Oh my God what a horrible call in the Vandy-Tennessee game. That is a fumble by Dobbs.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 27, 2016
Bloopers
Derek Mason surprised many with his demeanor late in the upset win over Tennessee, including a variety of dances.
Derek Mason is pumped up pic.twitter.com/twzycURMbE
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) November 27, 2016
Derek Mason FTW https://t.co/GAlJNkGUzC
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) November 27, 2016
Even a police officer wasn’t safe alongside Dan Mullen, the bucket target.
That Egg Bowl winning feeling. pic.twitter.com/m263rlWqg0
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 27, 2016
Watch out near the Gatorade table on the Tennessee sideline.
My man in the orange hoody needs to enter the concussion protocol.@TheSportsHernia @mikefreemanNFL pic.twitter.com/OfQJthy3jK
— Tyler Williams (@therealtdiddy) November 27, 2016
The Gamecocks seemed to have mass chaos during warmups against Clemson
⤴️🆙 pic.twitter.com/kJEhSolw4E
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) November 27, 2016
Will Muschamp waved off Dabo Swinney near midfield in the pregame, presumably looking for a handshake.
Coach Muschamp goes to shake Dabo's hand, waves it off. Tensions higher. @wachfox #Gamecocks #SouthCarolina pic.twitter.com/ep4MZInl6n
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) November 27, 2016
The handshake did happen, though.
If you blinked you might have missed the handshake between Dabo and Muschamp during pre-game. #USCvsCLEM pic.twitter.com/cTeVxoBLTr
— Bart Boatwright (@bartboat) November 27, 2016
The final score might not have been the only thing Louisville fans regretted walking out of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on Saturday.
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/802600494279643137
Paul Finebaum’s return to Alabama didn’t require sleeves.
It's the Iron Bowl. @Finebaum is LIT. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/U9zURmzIza
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 26, 2016
Dancing was welcome in the LSU locker room after the Texas A&M win.
When you remember you still have those Thanksgiving leftovers to eat… pic.twitter.com/NWUegcVEiU
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 25, 2016
In the first half of South Carolina’s blowout loss to Clemson, its mascot just needed a hug.
I just need a hug right now pic.twitter.com/VnjsDokAhY
— Cocky (@Cocky2001) November 27, 2016
Ejections
Alabama’s Tony Brown was ejected in the second quarter from the Iron Bowl. Brown’s hit came against Auburn LB Tre’ Williams on a punt return for Alabama.
Tony Brown just took his soul! #AUBvsBAMA https://t.co/Up6SzWUg9n
— JAiHAWKFLY℠ (@JAiHAWKFLY) November 26, 2016
Alabama fans did not agree with the targeting call.
That hit may have fallen within the parameters of the "targeting" rule, but that is ridiculous… it was a perfectly good block. #BAMAvsAUB
— Dale Hutcherson (@dalehutch12) November 26, 2016
If that is targeting, they might as well make it 2-hand touch! #RollTide #BAMAvsAUB
— Joey Plunkett7️⃣7️⃣ (@JPlunkett77) November 26, 2016
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
