NEW YORK -- The debut edition of the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium will be remembered for a highly controversial penalty flag that determined the outcome of the game.
With Syracuse leading 36-28 late in the fourth quarter, Kansas State quarterback Carson Coffman connected with wideout Adrian Hilburn on a 30-yard touchdown with 1:13 remaining.
Kansas State would have had to attempt a two-point conversion to tie the game. But that attempt got a whole lot harder when Hilburn was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following the touchdown for excessive celebration.
Hilburn gave a military-style salute in the direction of the back of the end zone after scoring the touchdown, which drew the flag.
The rule cited by the officials was Rule 9-2-1d, stating a penalty is justified for "any delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by which a player attempts to focus attention on himself [or themselves]."
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"Soon as it happened, [the official] said, 'Wrong choice buddy,' and looked at me," Hilburn said. "And I ran off and I'm like, 'Uh, OK.' And then I see a flag, and I'm like, 'Oh really? For that?'"
The game's head referee, Todd Geerlings -- part of a Big Ten crew -- was made available to a pool of reporters after the game..."These kinds of excessive celebrations have been a priority in the rulebook for the last several years. There's a whole page in the rulebook pertaining to sportsmanship."
Michigan against the SEC: 20-5-1 (7-3 in bowl games)
I do think it was a bad call, but not so sure I would go so far as to say it "determined the outcome of the game." Definitely had a LARGE effect on it but K State still had a chance to tie the game, despite the large odds they faced because of it. (and certainly not nitpicking you, just the writer of the piece)
The referees in the Tennessee/North Carolina game were awful too, but anything that results in Tennessee football getting embarassed is just fine with me!
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The problem I have, which takes this beyond just bad call annoyance, is the ref actually saying "Wrong move buddy." Sure it could be the player putting a little spin on it, but I doubt it. It reeks far, far too much of officials deciding games and taking control of games instead of just monitoring like they're supposed to be doing.
Totally agree on the Tennessee embarrassment.
(edited by BoromirMark on 31.12.10 0205) Michigan against the SEC: 20-5-1 (7-3 in bowl games)
The referees in the Tennessee/North Carolina game were awful too, but anything that results in Tennessee football getting embarassed is just fine with me!
I saw a bit of the Tenn/UNC game, mostly late, and on the final drive of regulation, I wanted to yell at Mark Jones and Bob Davie, the announcers, for their indignation about the late hit not being called on the play right after the catch on the sidelines was reviewed- it was so clear he was pushed into the player by a member of the opposing team. Don't know how they didn't see it. And then they kept harping on it.
As a Mizzou fan you know I have no love for K-State, but that call was complete garbage. And it completely changed the outcome. Sure they had a chance to convert, but the chances were lowered exponentially.
Question: Can the Big 12 protest the outcome of this game? At the very least, I'm sure they can at least call for an investigation of the call or something, right?
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Originally posted by It's FalseQuestion: Can the Big 12 protest the outcome of this game? At the very least, I'm sure they can at least call for an investigation of the call or something, right?
I'm sure they can protest but from everything I've read, it was technically a correct call. I live in Kansas and worked for K-State for twenty years so I am a bit biased. However, the thinking part of me as I watched College football this past fall was this stuff is getting called over and over. If I was the coach, I would do whatever it takes to get my players to just hand the ref the ball and walk off the field. I know it's bullshit in an emotional setting like college football but that penalty cost them a real shot at a tie and maybe a win and he's got to fell pretty crappy about it, even if it was just a salute.
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