Post by exterminator on Oct 18, 2005 8:46:01 GMT -5
ABy Rob Daniels
Staff Writer
gGREENSBORO -- N.C. A&T coach George Small said Monday he intends to file a formal complaint with the MEAC office about the officiating in Saturday's 23-13 homecoming loss to Delaware State.
The grievance, which will include snippets of game film and Small's written analysis, will not reverse the outcome even if it is deemed to have merit. But Small at least hopes for an admission of error on a few calls, two of which were on goal-line plunges from the Hornets' 1-yard line late in the third quarter.
Down 20-13, the Aggies faced third-and-goal and first handed off to Brandon Sweeney, who was halted by two defenders inside the 1. A&T coaches contend the play was improperly and prematurely blown dead because Sweeney was still driving his legs and had fallen not on the ground but on a pile of bodies.
Chaz Truesdale carried the ball on fourth down and was ruled down short of the goal line.
Division I-AA football, which lacks the financial resources of Division I-A conferences, does not have an instant-replay system. Small figures to have a tough time getting a definitive declaration of officials' error because the game film was shot from two angles, neither of which was on the goal line. One was atop the press box near midfield; the other was behind the end zone at the end of the field away from the action.
In both instances, however, the Aggies' case becomes more persuasive when a laser pointer is used to highlight the position of the ball-carrier.
Small, who admittedly viewed the plays from a less than impartial perspective, said of the Truesdale run, "It looked like he made it. Everyone raised his hand (for a touchdown) except the one who needed to raise his hand."
Attempts to reach Daniel Evans, coordinator of MEAC football officials, were unsuccessful Monday.
While dismayed by the calls in the Delaware State game, the Aggies (2-2 MEAC, 3-4) have to walk a line between indignation and preparation. They have a winnable game at Howard (0-3, 3-3) this week and can still be relevant players in the conference race. South Carolina State (3-0, 5-1), tied for the league lead in the loss column with 5-0 Hampton, awaits in the season finale.
"Losing the homecoming game was tough, but we have to prepare for these four (remaining) games as if we were going to the playoffs," senior defensive lineman Rickie Lewis said. "We seniors aren't going to let the team morale get down. I can guarantee that. This will be a four-week commitment."
Small said running back Quante Speight probably will be ready to play at Howard after missing the past two games with various injuries. Fullback Trey Green, also the long-snapper on punts and place-kicks, is likely out with an aggravation of a shoulder ailment.
Defensive back Theron Thomas, who sustained a hip injury when he fell to the track surrounding the field Saturday, is questionable for the game.
gies coach to file formal complaint
Staff Writer
gGREENSBORO -- N.C. A&T coach George Small said Monday he intends to file a formal complaint with the MEAC office about the officiating in Saturday's 23-13 homecoming loss to Delaware State.
The grievance, which will include snippets of game film and Small's written analysis, will not reverse the outcome even if it is deemed to have merit. But Small at least hopes for an admission of error on a few calls, two of which were on goal-line plunges from the Hornets' 1-yard line late in the third quarter.
Down 20-13, the Aggies faced third-and-goal and first handed off to Brandon Sweeney, who was halted by two defenders inside the 1. A&T coaches contend the play was improperly and prematurely blown dead because Sweeney was still driving his legs and had fallen not on the ground but on a pile of bodies.
Chaz Truesdale carried the ball on fourth down and was ruled down short of the goal line.
Division I-AA football, which lacks the financial resources of Division I-A conferences, does not have an instant-replay system. Small figures to have a tough time getting a definitive declaration of officials' error because the game film was shot from two angles, neither of which was on the goal line. One was atop the press box near midfield; the other was behind the end zone at the end of the field away from the action.
In both instances, however, the Aggies' case becomes more persuasive when a laser pointer is used to highlight the position of the ball-carrier.
Small, who admittedly viewed the plays from a less than impartial perspective, said of the Truesdale run, "It looked like he made it. Everyone raised his hand (for a touchdown) except the one who needed to raise his hand."
Attempts to reach Daniel Evans, coordinator of MEAC football officials, were unsuccessful Monday.
While dismayed by the calls in the Delaware State game, the Aggies (2-2 MEAC, 3-4) have to walk a line between indignation and preparation. They have a winnable game at Howard (0-3, 3-3) this week and can still be relevant players in the conference race. South Carolina State (3-0, 5-1), tied for the league lead in the loss column with 5-0 Hampton, awaits in the season finale.
"Losing the homecoming game was tough, but we have to prepare for these four (remaining) games as if we were going to the playoffs," senior defensive lineman Rickie Lewis said. "We seniors aren't going to let the team morale get down. I can guarantee that. This will be a four-week commitment."
Small said running back Quante Speight probably will be ready to play at Howard after missing the past two games with various injuries. Fullback Trey Green, also the long-snapper on punts and place-kicks, is likely out with an aggravation of a shoulder ailment.
Defensive back Theron Thomas, who sustained a hip injury when he fell to the track surrounding the field Saturday, is questionable for the game.
gies coach to file formal complaint
