From: daniel@acpub.duke.edu (Daniel Crawford)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Re: Georgia 14, Auburn 10
Date: 18 Nov 92 01:57:00 GMT
Organization: Duke University; Durham, N.C.

In article <75173@hydra.gatech.EDU> jb118@prism.gatech.EDU (Jeffrey N. Burch) writes:
}}Here are a few quotes from today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
}}
}}"SEC ATTEMPTS TO CLARIFY END OF GEORGIA-AUBURN"
}}
}}"The SEC statement said, first, that NCAA rules 'do not allow for
}}the clock to be stopped on a fumble when it is obvious the ball has
}}been recovered by the offensive team.  The official's responsibility
}}is to mark the spot of the recovery."
}
}Except in the last play of the game, it was not so obvious to either
}the officials, the players, or the fans.
}
}Refs also have the ability to call a time out whenever the time 
}they take to perform their duties is excessive.  They do this all
}the time during the game, sometimes to the inconvenience of the 
}players.
}
[other quotes removed]
}
}It appeared to me that the refs were simply standing around between
}the players as the clock ran out.  No discussion, placement of ball, 
}indication of downs and/or possession, or anything else.
}
}}It is apparent, then, that the officials acted exactly as the rules dictate.
}
}Not so apparent after all.
}


A couple of quick points.  I disagree with your statement that _no one_
knew whose ball it was.  It is _very_ clear from the numerous replays I
have seen that the official who was ruling on the fumble immediately
announced that the ball was recovered by Auburn.  In fact, he stated
this to two players: a Georgia defensive player (Ledbetter)  and AU's
QB, Stan White.  White explained this to the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, who reported it on Sunday.  However, White
continued to talk to the ref after possession had been determined; at
the same time most his offensive line was attempting to set up for another
play.  
	However, I agree with you that the time taken to place the ball
was excessive, regardless of whose fault it was. (The paper also
reported that whichever AU player recovered the fumble was trying to
place the ball across the goal line for quite some time after the play
had been called dead; and several UGA players were sitting on AU players
attempting to stall as well.)  It is quite possible that the refs should
have called timeout at that point to place the ball, and to clear the
line of scrimmage.

	So, it is _not_ so apparent that the rules were followed by the
refs exactly, as I stated earlier.  (However, there would certainly be
_no_ reason to call a penalty on Goff for being on the field,
particularly after the play had been called dead.  But, I don't
think you intended to suggest that it *should* have, just *could* have.)

	By the way: Both Goff and Dye said in their Sunday shows that
it was a clean game and both teams played some of their finest football
all season.  What?  Are they being diplomatic, or are they serious.  I
thought that the defensive plays from both teams were excellent, but
otherwise it was _very_ ugly football.  The offenses and the officiating
left a lot to be desired.  I would like to know what White's stats were
for this game relative to the rest of the season.  Many have said in
this forum that he played a great game, and I'd like to know why they
think so.  No offense, but I haven't seen him much this season.  

T. Daniel Crawford
Center for Computational Quantum Chemistry
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602

P.S. To the person who stated that on Hearst's 64 yd TD catch, there
were two UGA players in motion, I checked the play again (twice)
specifically looking for this movement, but I only saw Hearst in
motion.  Please let me know who you saw in motion other than Hearst and
where they were so I can check again.  I believe it was very clean.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college