Mike London got an apology from the Pac-10 crew working the Virginia-Southern Cal game Saturday night after it blew a call in the second quarter that negated a big gain for the ‘Hoos. On Monday, the crew heard from a not-happy Pac-10.
“We know mistakes are made in games, but we will not tolerate our officials misinterpreting the rules,” league commissioner Larry Scott said after announcing that the crew had been reprimanded and would be removed from a future game assignment.
The call involved a fake punt in the second quarter of the 17-14 USC win. Punter Jimmy Howell connected with tight end Colter Phillips on a 36-yard pass play that would have given UVa. a first down inside the SC 25. The play was called back when the umpire threw a flag for a pair of blocks below the waist in front of Howell.
According to the playing rules, blocking below the waist anywhere on the field by either team is illegal if the offense is lined up in a scrimmage kick formation, unless a kick is not made.
The crew reviewed the rules at the halftime break and made an apology to London after the break.
Story by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at [email protected].
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