September 19, 2004
Tennessee/Florida commentary
It just wouldn't be Tennessee/Florida without a little controversy. Four year ago, the Gators came into Neyland Stadium and despite being outplayed in every statistical category, the Gators left with a win on a controversial touchdown call.
Four years later, the officials again made a controversial call that affected the game.
On third and long for the Gators, Vol's defender Jonathan Wade and Florida receiver Dallas Baker traded headslaps. The yellow flag flew, but the calls was only against the Gators, stopping the clock and driving the Gators back 15 yards.
After a Florida punt, freshman QB Eric Ainge drove the Vols into field goal range and gave his kicker, James Wilhoit, a chance at redemption. Wilhoit had missed an early extra point, leaving the Vols down by one. Wilhoit nailed the 50-yard kick this time with six ticks left on the clock and sealing a victory for the Vols.
Within minutes of the game, ESPN was calling foul. Studio analyists Trev Albert and Mark May said the call "cost Florida the game" and that Florida head-coach Ron Zook should "go crazy" protesting it.
As a Tennessee fan, all I can say is--now you know how we all felt in 2000 when a clearly dropped pass was called a touchdown and the Gators won. Certainly I don't want to see a game decided by officials, but the ball bounced in the Vols favor and we got the win. I think both sides are now even on the "getting the short end of the stick on bad calls in Neyland Stadium rule."
Wilhoit: From Consolation to Eleation
The Tennessean's Larry Wood has a great column about kicker James Wilhoit and what he went through last night in the final four minutes of the game. Great reading.
CBS coverage
I made the mistake of watching this game and listening to the announcers from CBS. It was a Chris Leak love-fest every time he had the ball. About the fifth time I heard about how close he and C.J. were I wanted to throw up. And the million and one shots of his parents. Yeah, real supportive there, Dad. Can't even wear a Gator hat for your son...nope you go with a Carolina hat.
Also, while we did get some shots of Ainge's family, I didn't feel the coverage of him was excessive. Of course, CBS generally tends to have an anti-Tennessee bias.
I will give Todd Blackledge some credit--I think his comment late in the game that he wished Wilhoit had made the extra point becuase both teams had worked hard enough to earn a shot in overtime was a great one.
The second-coming of Peyton Manning?
The Vols may have found a QB last night in Eric Ainge. After throwing an early and costly interception, Ainge looked almost Peyton Manning-like in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. He made presssure, clutch passes to drive the Vols down field and seemed in good control of the offense. The only thing I can really find fault in was his clock management inside the last 30-second with UT needing yards and having no time outs. But he did enough to get us in position and help us win the game and this is a skill that will come in time and with practice.
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Comments & Trackbacks
dave frey says:
posted on September 19, 2004 09:23 PM — linkThis just in: the Tennessee player used the Jedi mindtrick on the ref to prevent being flagged.
If you watch the replay in super slow-mo, you can see him staring icily into the official's eyes and calmly saying "You did not see me hit the Florida player. He hit me completely unprovoked, and only he deserves a penalty. These are not the droids you're looking for."
Daniel Burnell says:
posted on September 19, 2004 09:30 PM — linkDIE GATORS DIE! GO VOLS!!!! (YOU GOT WHAT WAS COMING TO YOU)
Derek Willis says:
posted on September 20, 2004 02:03 PM — linkInteresting ... now the SEC says the officials didn't start the clock when they should have after the penalty on UF's Dallas Baker.
Stuart says:
posted on September 20, 2004 02:33 PM — linkIt is too bad young Florida players have to endure another tough loss due to bias officiating. Not only did everyone watching TV see the blatent bias call against Florida but the press votes on rankings on Sunday or Monday and ranks Tennessee higher than Florida by simply ignoring the fact that Florida would have won the game had it not been for the bogus call made by an apparent gator hater ref. or vols fan. Give me a break. There is no explenation worth listening to. Obvioulsy some jerk off VOL fan will refute this email but that person would feel the same way had it been reversed.
Dave Frey says:
posted on September 20, 2004 03:05 PM — linkI'm not a Vol fan, but I think I'll refute it anyway.
"Not only did everyone watching TV see the blatent bias call against Florida"
No, everyone watching saw a REALLY BAD missed call. I have seen ZERO evidence to demonstrate that the blown call was the result of anti-Florida or pro-Tennessee bias. Until there's evidence to the contrary, we have to assume it was simply gross incompetence and hope the official will be sanctioned or banned."ignoring the fact that Florida would have won the game had it not been for the bogus call"
That's ridiculous. Without question, the blown call helped Tennessee. But there's no way to state with certainty that the Gators would have won the game. There were still infinite possible outcomes to the game had the proper call (or non-call) been made.
"the press votes on rankings on Sunday or Monday and ranks Tennessee higher than Florida"
The rankings are based on who won and lost the game. Many, if not most, of the poll voters probably didn't even see the Florida game or the missed call. In any case, when casting votes they don't take into account bad calls or other circumstances that may or may not have affected the outcome. That's not an anti-Florida bias; all teams are treated that way.
Bad calls, like injuries, bad weather, or fluke bounces of the ball are just part of the game of football. On balance, they affect everyone equally over time.
Lastly, I'd suggest that if you wish to have your arguments taken seriously, you refrain from calling people with different views "jerk offs". It just screams "I'm not very intelligent!". Also, you might want to brush up on your spelling.
stuart says:
posted on September 20, 2004 04:44 PM — linkDave Smarter,
Apparently you did not read what Daniel Burnell had written following your Star Wars comments. I felt compelled to say something a little derogetory considering Daniel would most likely be reading comments from other "pro-good officiating" people. Because it happened to Florida, it made him feel great instead of letting the players determine the outcome.
May the force be with you Dave!
Michael Hickerson says:
posted on September 20, 2004 06:23 PM — linkHey Stuart....I am going to put aside my objectivity here and speak as a died in the wool Vols fan.
Cast your mind back four years to 2000...the Vols got screwed on a call that was ruled a TD when it clearly was not...everyone on TV could see it. Now, fast foward four years...2004.
Quit yer b*****n'...we won...you lost. Get over it and go beat UCF or MTSU.
Ah, I feel much better now.
stuart says:
posted on September 20, 2004 06:30 PM — linkMike,
Thinking back 4 years doesn't make either situation right.
Michael Hickerson says:
posted on September 20, 2004 06:35 PM — linkStuart...hey, I can understand that y'all got the short end of the stick in a big game. I can emphasize..but ya know, it worked in the Vols' favor, for once.
I'm sure there are people in Arkansas who still feel the Vols robbed them of a chance at a national title when Clint Sterner fumbled in 1998 in the rain game.
These things happens..it's part of the game.
stuart says:
posted on September 20, 2004 06:39 PM — linkOh, and by the way Mike!
Technically four year ago Gaffney caught the ball. The rule states a ball in control of a player that crosses the goal line is a touchdown.
Think about a running back jumping over the offense and defensive players. In many cases plays have been challenged in the NFL to see if the ball was fumbled before the back crossed the goal line. As long as the ball is in the backs control for one second over the goal line before fumbling it is deemed a touchdown.
In the case of the gators four years ago. He had the ball firmly in his hands for at least two seconds.
Stuart
Kevin Donahue says:
posted on September 20, 2004 07:44 PM — linkNot to nitpick, but if any part of the ball breaks the "plane" of the goal, then it's a touchdown. Holding on to the thing afterwards is (at least by rule) completely optional.
Brooks says:
posted on September 20, 2004 08:00 PM — linkI thought Wade "baited" Baker!!!! He fell for it and it cost his team the game. Get over it!! Tennessee fans had to in 2000 !!!!
dave frey says:
posted on September 20, 2004 09:21 PM — linkIf he deliberately "baited" him, (and I rather doubt that), then if I were a Vols fan I wouldn't be bragging about it. That shows an incredibly poor sportsmanship and doesn't say good things about him, his coach, or the people who raised him.
Michael Hickerson says:
posted on September 21, 2004 08:56 AM — linkIf Gaffney had "caught" the ball, he could have handed it to the official, not picked it up off the ground after he bobbled and dropped it...
jessi says:
posted on September 21, 2004 12:00 PM — linkthe thing is if florida would have gotten a call like that in their favor there would be no controversey. espn has downed tennessee for years, and everytime they prove them wrong they come up with an excuse why it happened.
dave frey says:
posted on September 21, 2004 12:21 PM — link"if florida would have gotten a call like that in their favor there would be no controversey."
Absolutely untrue.
"espn has downed tennessee for years, and everytime they prove them wrong they come up with an excuse why it happened."
Could you point us to even a single example to back that up?
Man, what is it lately with all the delusional, paranoid sports fans thinking everyone is biased against their particular team? You people ought to go to some political conspiracy websites- you'd have a ball there.
Boomer says:
posted on September 21, 2004 04:49 PM — linkI am a neutral party in this, being neither a VOL or a GATOR. But I do have to admit that in my extensive experience in watching SEC games in person and on television, that the SEC for the quality of football they play must have the worst officials in the country. Two blown calls in one play - whats being lost here is that the 15 yards was not as important as the lost time off of the clock. Florida punts at 25 seconds if the clock is restarted. Wilhoit's kick was with 12 seconds left and cleared the uprights at 6. He does not have that 12 seconds if the clock is restarted. Plain and simple - call it karma, call it a screw job, but the fact is that neither UT or UF are national title contenders anyway. The best either of them can hope for is New Years in Orlando. And I must saw with a striaght face to all UT fans that say ESPN and CBS have a anti-Tennessee bias, let me put that rumor to sleep - THE ENTIRE COUNTRY HAS AN ANTI-TENNESSEE BIAS. Even SOuth Carolinians makes fun of Tennessee fans when we see what they look like. But have heart - there is always Mississippi to make everyone feel better.
stuart says:
posted on September 22, 2004 07:56 AM — linkI just laugh when Tenn. fans refer to 2000. What a comeback! Michael, you may want to watch the films again on the 2000 game. Gaffney did not bobble the ball. I can assure you he did not bobble the ball. He clearly caught it and had a firm grasp on it and then dropped it. That is why I said earlier it is almost like he was betting on the game to lose.
From "It came from Black Background"
pinged on Sep 22, 2004 9:50 AMThis week's posting is much abbreviated due to the fact that I didn't get in front of a TV until the 2nd quarter of Notre Dame/MSU. Busy weekend overall. WHAT HAPPENED TO WEEK 3? First, a bit of housekeeping. I've...
jessi says:
posted on September 22, 2004 11:18 AM — link1999 espn predicted tennessee would lose to florida state in the nat'l championship game, and most of the time when they play florida they predict florida to when. so yes i know. one of the main focuses by tennessee when they played florida state that year was to shut Lee Corso up.
Michael Hickerson says:
posted on September 22, 2004 11:23 AM — linkThere's a conspiracy theory that floats around the Lee Corse was friends with Johnny Majors and has been down on UT since we fired Majors. I don't know if it's true, but it's something I've heard.
Second of all, I saw a replay of the Gaffney play in the broadcast Saturday night...and he bobbled it. I'm not saying they wouldn't have scored cause it was only 2nd down and they had plenty of time. But it should've been third down, not a TD.
As for the anti-TN bias, it's there. I've seen it and heard it for years now. And SC--what have y'all done ever in football? Until you can do something approaching what UT has accomlished over the last decade, keep your mouths shut....
schmed says:
posted on September 22, 2004 01:49 PM — linkLet's not get too distracted from the real issue by the chafing of tin-foil helmets - SEC refs have to be some of the worst in D-IA.
In addition to the abovementioned antics of those stripe-shirted, penile-pedestrians, it was an SEC ref that flubbed the PI call in the V-TECH/USC game last month.
But give 'em credit where it's due - All this talk about instant-misplay being pioneered by the Big 11 overlooks a major milestone accomplished by Bobby Gaston's minions. During the second half of the 2000 Alabama game at LSU, Alabama punted and a Tide gunner was blocked into the return guy, who muffed it (Tigers covering the ball). After a great deal of discussion, the White Hat announces there's no penalty, and the Head Linesman marks the ball ready for play, indicating FIRST DOWN, ALABAMA! More discussion ensues (to the extent anybody on the field could hear anything with 90% of the stadium going berserk over this major fo-koo happening in front of their very eyes). One of the Zebes notices the Jumbotron operator replaying the crucial bit over'n'over, and SUDDENLY a half-dozen light bulbs go on and they indicate FIRST DOWN, LSU.
...and they lived to miscall another day...
Robert Lyons says:
posted on September 23, 2004 03:22 PM — linkTo eliminate all this controversy and claims of bias is to do away with these conference "affiliations" with these refs. There needs to be one big pool of officials. So on Saturday, its you, you, you, you, you, you and you go here. Because as a SEC fan and grad of an SEC school I have seen some horrilble calls. Some of Bobby Gaston's officials couldn't referee their way out of a wet paper bag.
Mooree says:
posted on September 23, 2004 04:00 PM — link
Bottom line. A guy that's made 50 extra points in a row misses one. So that makes Florida the better team that got screwed by a clock mistake of about 5 seconds? If Wilhoit makes that , the game probably goes into overtime, and I'll take Tennessee's experience in OT games and the home field advantage, AND the better FG kicker every time. And yes, Florida, get over the call. There is shoving and pushing on almost every play that is not penalized. The Florida guy head slapped the Tennessee player in the helmet after all the normal pushing and shoving had ended. That was the only hit worthy of a penalty. Game, set, match.boomer says:
posted on September 25, 2004 09:32 AM — linkIn SC - at least we can hardily live with the fact that we suck and it does not involve a conspiracy between a network, a sports caster, and Han Solo or something like that. Secondly, it must have been nice to play in a national championship game against the other teams 3rd string quaterback (who threw a touchdown pass to your team incidentally) and still only win the game by one score. The State of Tennessee is the state where news networks go to get interviews after UFO sitings and tornadoes. Hell, we should do everyone a favor and just give Tennessee back to the Indians. . .
boomer says:
posted on September 25, 2004 09:35 AM — linkWHY DID PHIL FULMER CROSS THE ROAD . . .
BECAUSE HIS D*#K WAS STUCK IN THE CHICKEN.
Kevin Donahue says:
posted on September 25, 2004 11:07 AM — linkI'm sooo tempted to post ol' Boomer's ip, email, etc so you Tennessee fans can add him to your Christmas card list.
Michael Hickerson says:
posted on September 25, 2004 03:25 PM — linkI'd make sure to send Boomer a nice orange and white Christmas card...LOL
JR says:
posted on September 26, 2004 10:54 AM — linkWhat everyone seems to be missing is the other blown call on that play. Go back and watch the tape (I Tivo'ed the game).
Everyone is complaining that after the penalty the clock should've started when the ball was set. With 0:55 on the clock, Florida could've run it down to 0:31. Since Tennessee attempted the game winning field goal after a 0:42 second drive, they would have lost if the officials had made the right call with the clock.
However, that ignores the other mistake the officials made.
The play with the two players trading slaps ends with 1:09 left and the flag is thrown. The refs huddle to talk about it. The official walks towards the press box and signals the penalty against Florida. At that point the clock stops at 0:55. The clock ran with a flag on the field AND while the officials discussed the penalty!
The clock should've stopped at 1:09 with the penalty. Assuming the officials get it right from there and start the clock when the ball is put into play, Florida could run the clock down to 0:45. Tennessee's drive lasted 0:42 seconds which means with the clock stopped at 0:03 Wilhoit would be kicking the field goal to win.
stuart says:
posted on October 5, 2004 03:24 PM — linkAH Ha, Ah Ha Paybacks are Hell. What was the score of the Tenn/ Auburn game? How bad will Tenn. get beat this week by Ga? I love it. Florida will win the SEC.
Michael Hickerson says:
posted on October 5, 2004 06:24 PM — linkStuart...
Florida...win the SEC East....oh you are too funny.
Best laugh I've had all day!
Keith says:
posted on November 13, 2004 11:01 PM — linkYou guys think the Tenn/Gator officials were bad take a look at the missed pass interference call in the Bama/LSU game tonight. That missed call totally change the outcome of that game. Even the retard sport announcers could not get over how much that missed call changed the outcome of that game. What sucks is that it was not even questionable the def. back pushed the reciever out of bounds and the stupid jackass offical was right there and did not throw a flag. I think the SEC needs to take a serious look at their officials. From what I have seen in not only these two games but several others this season the officals have done a piss poor job to say the least.
