Ask A Back Judge: The Military Bowl

Tristan Raisch

January 04, 2024 29

Back Judge — The officials didn't play a huge role in the Military Bowl. (Ivan Morozov)

I don’t think I could sum up the Hokies’ bowl experience any better than Chris did in his Thursday Momentum and Confidence article: “Well, that was fun.”

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29 Comments

Lane2024 January 5, 2024 at 7:59 PM

Holding on Clements. Once the DE stood there with hesitation, I think Clements should have proceeded to drive him down the field like Schick (no holding) did.
Late 80s Hokie January 5, 2024 at 8:24 AM

On the 2 holding calls, there should have been an option for "I don't throw any flags. Keep the clock running so I can get in out of the rain!"
1. TechHokie13 January 5, 2024 at 8:28 AM
  
  I'm gonna be completely honest with you guys, that thought has 100% gone through my head in a couple games ?
Hokie67 January 5, 2024 at 7:22 AM

The one call that I see most that isn't called is the hands to the face mask by the OL AND the DL. Seems like a face mask penalty is a penalty no matter when and where it occurs. In any case - I love the voting - it just makes this coverage even better. It has changed how I watch the games live - and on TV. Thanks.
1. TechHokie13 January 5, 2024 at 7:38 AM
  
  High praise, thanks very much! And yeah, there's a lot that goes on in the trenches that's very tricky to spot/call. Usually hands to the face will get flagged either on a tackle out on the edge of the line, or when the offense has spread out the middle of the defense so the U has a bit more room to see what's going on inside.
132960Hokie January 4, 2024 at 6:02 PM

Here's a "new" call that frustrates me to no end. The QB who waits until the very last millisecond to slide; often when the defender is already in the air (only Superman can alter his flight in the air after launching, ha ha). Then personal foul/targeting comes into play. Not sure how to solve this; perhaps the QB should slide in time that the defender has not yet left his feet (OK, more video review); ideas or am I way off base? Some QB's have gotten very good at this. To me, it's as cowardly as the flop from a punter or soccer player.
1. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 7:10 PM
  
  Agree completely with the flop comment, some QBs have certainly perfected it. That said, I actually thought by and large it was called fairly this year (the relatively few times it was relevant). I think it comes down to coaching: the issue is defenders see a QB coming towards them and every fiber of their being is screaming to stop that QB from advancing down the field. This is all well and good while the QB is upright, and we saw a couple of times that if the defender initiates a tackle aimed at a *running* QB, they'll get a fairly long leash when it comes to contact. What gets defenders in trouble is when that QB slides late, but they have that split-second to alter their own path (and their brain is still screaming to stop the QB). It sticks out like a sore thumb to a trained official when a defender alters his path slightly and ends up diving *down* to follow to QB as he slides. So I'd put it on coaches to better drill their defensive players to recognize that the play is over, and fight the urge to follow the QB as he goes to the ground. It's a very difficult task, but it's doable. I still think the auto-ejection should be eliminated from the targeting rule regardless, but I've already written a full article about that ?
Gobbler`s Roost Hokie January 4, 2024 at 4:51 PM

As an OL, just put them in a choke hold and you're good to go. It doesn't matter how flagrant it is or if you pull them completely out of the play. I haven't seen a single flag thrown for holding if you do that.
1. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 7:03 PM
  
  I... uh.... can't say I agree with or condone anything in this comment ?
TomTurkey January 4, 2024 at 4:10 PM

Yes, Clements, and no, Schick. No on running into the punter, but it's a perception from his body language, i.e., had flop written all over it. Video is a bad angle to really tell for enforcement. One of my first strong lessons was to never, ever put my hands on a player. And to let the stripes, whistle, and flag control the emotional demeanor and character of the game. Another great job!
1. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 7:04 PM
  
  Very interested to see the vote breakdown later this weekend. And I agree 100%. Very little good can come from an official putting his/her hands on a player, but a heck of a lot can go wrong. Thanks for reading!
VTaimhigh January 4, 2024 at 3:20 PM

I loved how WE got to vote on those two plays. Creative and educational. 70 definitely held.
1. TOUGH TURKEY January 4, 2024 at 4:15 PM
  
  I see a no hold for #1 as the play is already by him by the time he does hold. Did not effect the play. Clear no on #2 in armchair reffing role.
  1. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 7:02 PM
    
    Armchair reffing: the best reffing there is.
2. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 7:02 PM
  
  Full disclosure: the idea was hatched slightly out of spite. Almost, "fine, if it's so easy, YOU do it" ? I'm very excited to see how TSL subscribers vote. Gonna let the poll run through the weekend and see where we end up.
132629Hokie January 4, 2024 at 3:14 PM

I remember thinking during the game: huh, no holding calls on either team. Some crews seem to have to more/less stringently apply/interpret the same rules, so my answers to the poll questions would be influenced by what the are/are not calling for this particular game. That said, close but no for #1, no for #2.
1. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM
  
  That's one thing I find super interesting about bowl season: we see a lot more crews from around the country than we do during the regular season, so it's fascinating (albeit pretty frustrating) to see how different conferences do things. I posted this during one of the early bowls, but I noticed almost immediately how good ACC deep wings were at maintaining their cushion compared to some crews from other leagues. Definitely seems like that was a point of emphasis for ACC deeps this year.
VTDC January 4, 2024 at 2:59 PM

I was shocked when Clements wasn't called for a hold when watching in live-time.
1. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 6:58 PM
  
  I was a bit surprised too. Of course, with how hard it was raining, there's a non-zero chance nobody could actually see much.
Lancelot Link January 4, 2024 at 2:36 PM

TY! You, Brandon & GCH34 remind me of how much I don't know about the college sports I love to watch.
1. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 6:57 PM
  
  That's why we all do it, I'm sure! Hope that's enhanced the fan experience.
RhinoVT January 4, 2024 at 2:24 PM

It's kind of amazing that these guys in the stripes are right so often considering the speed and complexity of the game . . . and that they are all blind as bats! Thanks for a great series or articles.
1. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 6:56 PM
  
  Thanks for reading! And you caught me, we really just guess and hope for the best ? Would now be a bad time to tell everyone I should have been wearing glasses this whole time?
DW Hokie January 4, 2024 at 1:42 PM

I've learned a lot this season from your articles. As with all things in life, there's much more to officiating than meets the eye!
1. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 6:55 PM
  
  Glad you've found them informative, I hope that's made the game more fun to watch!
NMB Hokie January 4, 2024 at 1:38 PM

the arm hook drew the foul on the punter
1. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 6:55 PM
  
  I agree, that's the contact that did it, but I'm not sold it was more "displaced" than "incidental."
StressHokie January 4, 2024 at 1:00 PM

Hi Tristan - thank you for all these articles! I've enjoyed reading them. Very good information and analysis.
1. TechHokie13 January 4, 2024 at 6:54 PM
  
  Thanks for reading, glad you've enjoyed them!

Ask A Back Judge: The Military Bowl

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