Penn State coach James Franklin met with the media on Monday for a final review of Oregon and to look ahead to UCLA.
In his opening statement, he talked about a a crucial moment in the game that didn’t go Penn State’s way.
“I didn’t see enough to overturn the call on the field,” Franklin said.
With the score tied at three, Oregon seemed to take command in the third quarter where Oregon quarterback Dante Moore drove to the Penn State nine yard line.
On the play, defensive end Chaz Coleman punched the football out of Oregon running back Noah Whittington’s arm that was recovered by Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley who returned it to the Penn State 49-yard line.
The review appeared to show Whittington’s knee had made contact with the ground nullifying the fumble.
Rule 4.1.3.b states A live ball becomes dead … when any part of the ball carrier’s body, except the hand or foot, touches the ground or when the ball carrier is tackled or otherwise falls and loses possession of the ball as they contact the ground with any part of their body, except the hand or foot.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Franklin didn’t necessarily say the call was wrong, but felt that there wasn’t the indisputable evidence necessary to overturn the call.
Replay overturned the call and on the ensuing play Moore connected with running back Dierre Hill Jr. for an eight-yard touchdown reception to put Oregon up 10-3. Penn State ended up losing 30-24 in double overtime.
