I felt like it was clear and present that FSU has superior athletes, but that ND was just as good or better of a football team. I know you understand what I mean on that sort of thing, perhaps not for this specific instance, but in general.
I do, but I completely disagree.
ND's defensive line dominated FSU's offensive line in the first half. FSU's defensive line rarely got pressure on Golson and, when they did, it was usually more because of coverage than because of beating ND's line. Notre Dame ran for 157 yards to FSU's 50. Golson completed 60% of his passes and several of the ones he didn't complete had nothing to do with defense.
I didn't see FSU having superior athletes at all.
And just because the defender iniates contact doesnt make it ok to block him like its a punt return
But it DOES mean that both guys were fighting for position and it DOES mean the defender was not trying to cover Robinson.
BOTH receivers were fully engaged in a block
Fuller, who supposedly is the one they officially called it on, was running his route. So unless you're going to say that a receiver can no longer run his route because a defender decides to guard him, I'm not exactly sure what you think he should do.
They were clearly making no attempt whatsoever to get open on a route.
But they WERE making receiver type moves and NEITHER man had his hands up in the form of a block. Furthermore, neither man blocked the defensive back who was supposed to be covering Robnson.
It was a completely arbitrary call.
I agree it had no effect on the play though, or at the very least, wasn't necessary.....which makes the players breaking the rules even more dumb. Dont blame it on the refs for enforcing the rules.
But they weren't enforcing the rules because they didn't call the penalty on PJ Williams when he tore his helmet off his head.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the refs were out to cheat ND. And I'm not saying I don't understand what they called or why they called it. I do. I'm just saying it was a completely arbitrary call on something which had no real effect on the play, but COMPLETELY changed the game.
I think Brian Kelly said it best, "But again, the play itself, in terms of what we ask our kids to do, it was pretty clear what happened on the play: Florida State blew the coverage and they got rewarded for it. It's unfortunate."