Ask A Back Judge: Virginia Tech vs. UVa

Tristan Raisch

December 06, 2024 17

The official had a pretty solid day in the Virginia Tech-UVa game. (Ivan Morozov)

If Tech is going to consistently put themselves in a position to need to beat UVa to make a bowl game, it’s nice that the Hokies at least stuck to tradition this year and spanked the Hoos on their way to doing just that. But how did the stripes perform during the traditional de-pantsing of our in-state rivals? Keep reading below for freebee spots, a closer reading than anyone ever asked for about the true meaning of, “snap,” and more.

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17 Comments

VTScanlo December 6, 2024 at 8:31 PM

Two things: 1.) I despise the fact that the ref changes the spot of the ball "because it makes the determination of whether or not a player has made the line to gain much easier." The ball should be spotted where it should be spotted and then a determination (or measurement) of the first down can be made. 2.) Mose did not "impede the receiver's path to the ball" since he was behind him. He did give a slight tug on the jersey which doesn't appear to change the receiver's path/direction. If a jersey tug alone is grounds for DPI according to the rule, then it's obviously a penalty. If not, I say "no call." FWIW, I have a hunch you will agree with the flag and have a very valid reason. It's probably not as close as it appears.
1. VTScanlo December 6, 2024 at 8:34 PM
  
  On point 1, after the determination of a 1st down is made, then you can "round up" the yard line (which I believe you previously explained that they do).
  1. TechHokie13 December 8, 2024 at 12:17 PM
    
    Correct. The only time that rule doesn't hold is inside the 10 (or maybe the 15ish). The closer the offense gets to the goal line, the more critical each fraction of a yard becomes, so we'll spot it as true as we can inside the 10.
2. TechHokie13 December 8, 2024 at 2:55 PM
  
  Solid rationale for the no-call, though I appreciate the chuckle at the end of #2 ? Thanks for reading and commenting!
nvpbrown December 6, 2024 at 7:11 PM

I was struck by how similar Lane's (non-)fumble in the UVA game was to his punt return fumble that was one of many miscues that you could say cost us the game: https://virginiatech.sportswar.com/subscription/2024/09/24/ask-a-back-judge-virginia-tech-vs-rutgers/ Both plays have him falling to the ground face-first with the ground causing the fumble. The main difference is that his elbow hits first versus UVA while his wrist hits first versus Rutgers. I guess for the purposes of the play being called dead, the wrist is considered part of the "hand". I felt that it was a fumble when watching from the stands, immediately recalling the UVA play. But the elbow is clearly involved in the replay. I would favor a rule explicitly written with "the ground can't cause a fumble" as the bottom line.
1. nvpbrown December 6, 2024 at 7:11 PM
  
  I should have said "cost us the game against Rutgers" for the other fumble.
2. TechHokie13 December 8, 2024 at 12:15 PM
  
  That one did seem pretty familiar. Im torn, because on the one hand I tend to agree with the general concept of, "the gound can't cause a fumble," but on the other, I also very much feel the offense should be given as few free passes as possible when it comes to being lax with ball security. It's a good question for sure.
U2Hokie December 6, 2024 at 5:05 PM

For Mose's DPI - Legal play - Incidental contact and right to his space - if anything actually pushed him too the ball.
1. TechHokie13 December 8, 2024 at 12:11 PM
  
  Solid reasoning, thanks for reading and commenting!
nchokie55 December 6, 2024 at 12:54 PM

Tristan, on the DPI call, I'm saying its a correct call on the field, Mose is "moving" the numbers on the receiver's back with his right hand, and I don't have a view of the left hand but it appears to me the receiver is torqued or turned some away from the ball as they engage.,
1. TechHokie13 December 8, 2024 at 12:10 PM
  
  Solid reasoning, should be a nifty breakdown. Thanks for reading and commenting!
GO_HOKIES_GO December 6, 2024 at 12:15 PM

Great content, as usual. The punt play was directly across from me - 15 was definitely in the neutral zone before the snap. I thought he had been offside twice before with no call, but this one wasn’t close.
1. TechHokie13 December 8, 2024 at 12:10 PM
  
  Thanks for reading! Yeah, those are always tricky without a perfect camera angle. Can only hope that the short wings were communicating with UVA's coaches to let them know their DR was playing things pretty fast and loose. By rule, so long as he isn't about a football-length away from the LOS, he's onside the instant the center begins snapping the ball. But if a guy is timing the snap like that, he's getting *zero* benefit of the doubt if he mistimes it at all.
VTaimhigh December 6, 2024 at 12:01 PM

I always learn something from you when I read these Tristan; even if I don't always agree. Many thanks.
1. TechHokie13 December 8, 2024 at 12:07 PM
  
  Thanks very much for reading! The day everyone agrees with me is the day I conclude either my work is done or I've lost any semblance of value-add for TSL ?
TomTurkey December 6, 2024 at 11:09 AM

Thanks, good stuff. Merry Christmas
1. TechHokie13 December 8, 2024 at 12:06 PM
  
  Thanks, same to you!

Ask A Back Judge: Virginia Tech vs. UVa

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