Underrated play in the game: Intentional Pass Interference by Will Johnson to prevent a TD
Not sure if this violates snowflake thread rules, but on the long pass to Marvin Harrison Jr, it looks to me like Johnson intentionally tackles well before the pass comes in order to prevent a possible/likely TD. Only problem was he didn't interfere enough and it was caught anyways (amazing play, one hand)
https://youtu.be/E7In-OO_bJI?t=221
This was mentioned by announcers at the end of Alabama Auburn, that the Auburn defensive player could have done DPI and it woulda been a significantly better result (4th and goal from 30 yard line, gave up a TD. DPI woulda been 1st and goal from 15)
November 25th, 2023 at 8:59 PM ^
Penalties are a resource. Better to hold than to give up a sack. Better to tackle MHJ than to give up the TD.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
Better to take an unsportsmanlike penalty (for removing helmet) after the turnover to have more fun
/s of course, since I the penalty stays even if the turnover holds, but also another "worth it" penalty.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:03 PM ^
I had convinced myself Moore didn’t fully catch the ball and the 15 yard penalty would have been devastating.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^
I certainly didn't exhale until they took the knee, so I understand.
November 25th, 2023 at 10:53 PM ^
Same. That happened once this season.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:03 PM ^
DPI in the college game is a no brainer if get beat deep.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:31 PM ^
Yup.
In the Apple Cup game a Washington State CB committed DPI on Washington's top WR when the Wazzu CB realized he was going to get beat for a TD.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:54 PM ^
This keeps up they're going to change that rule.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:31 AM ^
Even if they make it spot foul like the NFL, it was still a good penalty. They'd get the ball at the 40 instead of a touchdown..
November 25th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
Smart heads-up play by Will Johnson. Hope he is good to play next week.
November 25th, 2023 at 10:11 PM ^
Apparently he was banged in practice this week, which just makes his play today all the more amazing. He couldn't keep up with Marvin due to his leg, but made a heady play anyway
November 25th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
I told Mrs. Attack at the time that it was a "professional" foul. As in soccer players draw a yellow card to prevent what is certain to be a horrible situation for the keeper.
In the NFL, it's a spot foul. In college it's 15 yards and an automatic 1st down.
Great catch!
November 25th, 2023 at 9:05 PM ^
This is always a good debate - is the pro version better, is the college version better?
The pro version is pretty ridiculous for some situations, but the "professional foul" version is seems easy for the defense too.
Maybe it should be split into two different penalties in the pros - spot foul if WR touches the ball, 15 yards (or spot) if WR doesn't?
November 25th, 2023 at 9:59 PM ^
Hell yes it’s a smart play. We had the same conversation at Thursday’s Lions game when my wife turned to me for explanation on a PI call. The tackle was obvious and the right play.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:05 PM ^
I agree, that was a really smart play. You can’t stop Harrison 100% of the time. If you’re beat, take the penalty and prevent the touchdown.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:07 PM ^
It’s also what Notre Dame should have done to Roundtree in UTL I. (Not that I have a problem with the result, of course.) Thankfully our players are smarter.
November 25th, 2023 at 11:17 PM ^
But instead…they left him alone!!
November 25th, 2023 at 9:17 PM ^
Isn’t pass interference in the end zone like first and goal at the 1 or is that just NFL? Anyways I was super pleased with his attempt to negate a big catch and take him down instead, but MHJ was just that much better that play. Hats off to both guys. They will see each other for years to come
November 25th, 2023 at 9:50 PM ^
Not certain but it looks like in NCAA the wording is "not more than 15 yards", so the "at the 1" rule might be NFL only.
MHJ is a monster and I'll be happy to see him taken high in the draft.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:55 PM ^
He’s too small. Probably should fall to #32 to the lions after they win the super bowl
November 25th, 2023 at 10:11 PM ^
Top 3 WR invites a comparison to Calvin Johnson, who had hard to believe measurables - better than MHJ's. Always makes me wonder how CJ woulda looked on a competent college football team, if MHJ looks like this.
November 25th, 2023 at 10:56 PM ^
There wasn't time to run a play from the 1 and still get a tying FG. That would have been risky.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:21 PM ^
Obviously glad to be on the right side of this, BUT...
I'd like to see the NCAA adopt the NFL rule on DPI as a spot foul. It's an outdated rule.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:56 PM ^
God no.. I don't even like in the NFL. a defender grazes a wr or just doesnt get out of the way of wr and 50 yard penalty.
Especially with piss poor college refs
November 25th, 2023 at 9:30 PM ^
It was a smart as hell play. He was down at the spot, OSU declined, and on we go. Vs letting him run free.
That's Michigan IQ.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:39 PM ^
I would add in Corum taking it to the house the next play after Zinter got rolled up on
November 25th, 2023 at 9:47 PM ^
Maybe, but I don't think anyone underrated that play. That OSU safety did not do a good job, Corum barely even made a move on him.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:55 PM ^
Why is it underrated? It was a smart play, but it didn't work.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:56 PM ^
It did work. He was beat with no help. He prevented points.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:59 PM ^
It didn't work in the sense that MHJ still caught the ball (thus not getting the 15 yard penalty only), but it worked in the sense that it saved a (potential, or likely) TD. That drive ended at the half with the missed FG.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:56 PM ^
Been saying this all day. Minter said to Will MHJ is yours don’t let him score. And Will said don’t worry coach I got it let the rest of the D worry about everyone else. Really smart play
November 25th, 2023 at 10:21 PM ^
Sometimes you maul the guy. MHJ is due for one of these a game. Absolute gamebreaker. See OSU? See how you can appreciate the greatness of the other team? Nah? Thought so you fucking children.