PSU vs. Iowa 2008 Pass Interference

[dude7872002]

Yes it is PI!

[xxSHADOWxWARRIORXX]

Yep that's pass interference...I'm not a Iowa or Penn state fan but that was obvious pass interference

[kluvenator]

WE OWN....PENN STATE!!!

[Cubfan2240]

Boy, Im a huge Hawk fan, and your talking milliseconds there.

[ramsrg4]

Hawkeyeft35 are you stupid. You said try to play a tough game on the road. Are you serious? We played the number ONE team in the nation. Yeah we got killed but your logic is way off. Arizona was #24 and you guys were #9. Also Iowa got dominated in that game. We played bama on the ROAD.

[Hawkeyeft35]

@ramsrg4 I think your logic is a tad off, Is being dominated a 7 point loss? An extra point away fromm taking the lead? But yea my not playing anyone on the road was just a bit off. (alot)

[codtwo5]

yeh but he was playing the ball

[Axlewolf]

whether it is or isnt they will call that everytime

[dude7872002]

yes it is pass interference, he took him out before the ball got there, duh!

[iGookin]

Even Scirotto knew it. Of course he is going to protest because he doesn't want to look like he cost the team the game, but he didn't confront a ref and he just stayed out by himself. He knew it was illegal.

[nilekinnick24]

yea no question about it

[00005426895]

Did anyone watch the big ten network after the game. The black dude(feel bad calling him that but i cant remember is name) said he disagreed with the call. He said that the defender has a right to the ball too. That is true, but you can not go through the receiver to get to the ball. Thats one of the golden rules of football. I think if the ref didnt throw that flag i think kinnick would have rioted

[jamnitro]

@00005426895 Chris Martin is his name. He said on the big 10 network it was a horrible call. He was a former defensive back so he should know. You are listening to the announcer and not watching the play. The PSU player does not do anything but go to the spot and jump straight up to catch the ball. Iowa receiver runs through him. Offensive PI should have been the call.

[mongoose704]

I used to respect Penn State and their coach but since 1995, they have always blamed the referees and their own bad play for our dominance of them (thereby degrading themselves.)

Oh every now and then Joe PA will say Iowa played well but it is always mingled with a referee's bad cal and "we played terrible." thereby negating the credit he just gave us.

In fact, PSU fans and Joe PA blame the damn refs all the time.

That PI was a no brainer call.

[00005426895]

@mongoose704 You said it thats all they seem to do as of late.

[jamnitro]

@mongoose704 YOU GUYS ARE ALL WRONG. HE GOES UP FOR THE BALL FIRST AT THE 47 YARD LINE TO INTERCEPT THE PASS. STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN. HE WAS NOT GOING FORWARD INTO THE RECEIVER, THE PLAY BY PLAY GUY IS WRONG.

IF ANYTHING THE IOWA RECEIVER RUNS INTO HIM. THIS IS CLEARLY OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE.

[Hawkeyeft35]

@jamnitro nope, the reciever has a right to the ball, and if he has too jump into a PSU defender. He can

[jamnitro]

@Hawkeyeft35 nope the defender has just as much right to the ball. He was at the spot first and goes straight up to catch it.

Iowa has that humble pie taste after Arizona killed you. Iowa can go back to being Iowa. Never have or never will be an elite program like Penn State.

[Hawkeyeft35]

@jamnitro Tough talk for a fan of the team that cant beat us. Too bad we play someone on the road unlike PSU, good luck in Iowa. Regarding the interference, he leaned forwards into the Reciever. Terefore he went through him. Therefore its interference

[kluvenator]

@jamnitro I'm not sure if you're aware, but the Iowa - Penn State series is even at 11-11, and Iowa is still ranked ahead of Penn State. oh yeah.... bama bama bama bama bama

[Hawkeyeft35]

He went through the reciever while the ball was in the air

[WhiskeyTango12]

there was also a hold on a blitzing linebacker by the center. but that interference could have been called either way, it was in iowa and they were losing so i understand why it was called , it was pass interference, but they should have called that hold too.

[mongoose704]

That was the clearest PI ever. A violation of the most fundamental rules that protect the receiver. Nobody outside of Happy Hawkeye Valey thinks that was a bad call or that it could have been called either way. Holding? Video doesn't show it. It doesn't begin to compare with the 10 holds the Penn State line committed in the first half when they somehow held the ball for 20 minutes. Puss State fans still blame the refs for every loss. Face it, IOWA OWNS YOU BECAUSE WE ARE BETTER.

[00005426895]

@WhiskeyTango12 I have to say i disagree with you bud. Im an Iowa fan but, even if i wasnt i would still have to disagree. I watched the game live and this clip a hundred times and i cant see a hold anywhere.

[cmerun42]

he went for the ball but he went through the reciever to get it, and you can't do that. definitely pass interference

[DJBallaaa]

LOL, Way to cost your team the game Scirrotto. Stupid idiot. Go hawkeyes!

[ehsraiderz]

Stross got raped by the safety, plain and simple

[Lifeisadream2]

This was pass interference and Stross is a collegiate high jumper so he could've gotten up there to get the ball. However, a few plays later the refs did miss an intentional grounding call on Stanzi. There were no receivers close and he pretty much threw it to the sideline.

[1MikeMcHugh]

I'm gonna tell it exactly like it is: For three years, all the South Jersey PSU fans defended Scirotto as some kind of great football player, who deserved his starting spot. This couldn't be further from the truth. Scirotto was the weakest link on defense last year, and stunk the year before that also. Joe does not always put his best players on the field, and usually it costs us a game or two per year. Scirotto made a bonehead play, in a key situation. By the way, he won't play on Sunday

[iGookin]

if your a penn state fan that thinks thats NOT pass interference, then think if it was the opposite. if an iowa player had done that to a penn state player at the end of a close game, dont even try to tell me that you would simply look a the tv screen and say, "well it technically wasnt pass interference." because it was. quit whining and accept the correct call they made.

[Muskie1fan]

The rule stats...."You can go for the ball, but not THROUGH a player to do so." I'd say that's THROUGH a player...

[hawkman2111]

yes i do think it was pass interference but that roughing kicker call against iowa was fucking bullshit

[billlumbergh987]

No question about it.

[freydaddy12]

Without question.

[bruuuuuuuce]

you can't just hit the guy while the ball is in the air... tard

[hawkeyeman933]

oh not at all if he only gets clobbered before the ball gets there

idiot

[bigten118]

those of you who are whining about that call are pathetic! it was pass interference! get over it! should i post a video about whether or not that roughing the punter call was legit? denial! thats all it is!

[larma7]

Yeah, it was definately pass interference. Scirotto had probably his worst game of his career.

[herk888]

yup

[kluvenator]

totally catchable ball if he isnt taken out. therefore pass interference

[jamnitro]

@kluvenator HE WASNT TAKEN OUT YOU FUCKING FAGGGOT. THE RECEIVER TOOK HIM OUT! WATCH THE SLOW MOTION REPLAY HE GETS THE THE SPOT AT THE 47 YARD LINE FIRST AND GOES STRAIGHT UP TO CATCH IT.

OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kluvenator]

@jamnitro hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha­hahahahahahahahahahaha whatever you say

[uselessidguy331]

Blah...if Scirotto doesn't go after that ball, Iowa is faced with 4th and 15 and Penn State likely plays for the national title.

Oh well, if we really need to go back and pinpoint one guy who killed us that day, we need to look no further than Johnson-Koulianos...that name still haunts me.

[rrsteffe]

I get a kick out the PSU fans that claim the defender went 'straight up' for the ball and that Stross wasn't looking back for the ball. WTF replay are you watching? It sure isn't this one.

[1DjDelta]

Clear MAJOR contact before the ball arrives.

correct call by the refs.

And don't give me that "jump ball" crap. it was damn near in the hand of the wideout

[marcianofan34]

now, after the bowls are over, is penn state not as hyped up as they were to be after their drubbing against usc? or is iowa just that good of a team and could never close close games out and won huge in the outback? This call was just the way of the road and its college football. You can't blame that call. Penn State had chances to win but didnt,it just depends anymore in college fball on which team shows up to play. Plus if Penn State couldnt be iowa, were they good enough to win a natl title?

[jelly1j]

Good call!

[HereComeTheHawkeyes]

so your saying that the refs should call for the lions so they can go to the championship

[GBArod]

he hit him way early, it wasn't even close.

[westfootball32]

you dont have to be a retard

[scytheon]

Moron.

[leifer25]

1. He wasn't even close to getting "sacked", Stanzi had some room to run (not enough for the 1st). He threw the ball up bc he had nothing to lose.

2. Let players make legit plays and not cost the deserving team the chance to win. Your reasoning would have ruled out the roughing the kicker penalty against Iowa earlier, so either way Iowa has a chance to win the game.

[dude7872002]

big time pass interference, he was jumping up and would of caught it it was right by his hands then he got mowed over by a DB from psu. get real dude

[Duffy188]

Scirroto should have waited for the Iowa guy to catch it and then he should have leveled him cause he does that all the time. That would have knocked the ball free for sure, making it incomplete and 4th down & long

[TDKITZ]

Stross was going up for the ball to catch it in stride and go for some YAC but the defender ran through him. Thats a good call and PSU fans are saying this is a bad call just because they lost the game. You have noone to blame but the intensity of IOWA and your lack of focus !!!!

GO HAWKS!!!!

[MVillani1985]

Oh I agree, I'm a PSU fan and I thought PSU played flat like they were overlooking Iowa all game. And they paid dearly for it. Penn State had a chance to win huge, but played like crap all game, and the late PI call was only the icing on the cake. Seems like the bye week all year has been the kiss of death for top teams. But still, if PSU wins the Rose Bowl, then they're the best Big Ten team of the decade so far. And I think PSU wins. Good luck in your bowl against your USC, Iowa.

[BullzOnParade17]

Good luck to you against USC as well, I hate the Trojans. Really, I hope you guys stomp them into the ground.

[MVillani1985]

I'm a Penn State fan, but that was definate PI. That wasn't really what lost the game for us, it was playing not to lose all game. I don't know what it was, but Penn State seemed to think Iowa was going to just roll over for them.

[BullzOnParade17]

Penn State hasn't had the best of luck with Iowa. I think Iowa has won 4 of the last 6 meetings I want to say?

[MVillani1985]

While true, it was open season on Penn State from 2000-2004 with the exception of 2002. Ironically, all have been close except the 27-7 blowout where Penn State won last year.

[BullzOnParade17]

Yeah, I still remember the 6-4 win Iowa had a couple years ago.

[MVillani1985]

It was in 2004, one of those years I'd like to forget ever happened. It was weird, though, that the 1999 upset to Minnesota and the 2005 blowout of Minnesota were bookends to the dark years if you follow PSU football. Penn State's wins before that 44-14 slamming of Minnesota in 2005 were unimpressive, like the 34-29 squeaker over Northwestern, the 23-13 win over South Florida, and the 42-24 win over Cincy before they were good. Afterwards, PSU looked impressive.

[1psuviking]

worst game I ever attended!

[dude7872002]

you must be bitter.. haha Go hawks

[nowayjose470]

5 of the last 6 actually.

[BillClintonn]

I'm a former cornerback -- and I am always arguing that receivers get too many calls. But this is definitely pass interference. Not a tough call. If he went over the back and swatted the ball, he'd be fine. But he went over and through the receiver.

[booneallstar11]

I was there, and it was about fuckin time they threw a flag,

we were gettin them allll game, then finally we got a call.

nice job hawks!

--Shonn Greene for Heisman!!

[bigdrumboy7]

yeah, you cant hit the reciever! go for the ball but arrive on time, not early

[soxkato]

Scortto went up to make a play on the ball

[westfootball32]

but he hit the guy

[leifer25]

and he failed.

[letsgohawks89]

i played safety and you can not go through a defender at all doesn't matter if your going for the ball or not

[MBarberfan4life]

in nfl you can go through if your going for the ball

[nowayjose470]

Definitely pass interference. Obvious PI.

[drhawkatk]

how can anyone think this is not PI? it's obvious...the PSU defender jumped right into him!

[beanjo12]

it absolutely was...you cant run through the receiver to get the ball

[mae2759]

You cannot play through the back of the offensive player. This is one of the 6 fundamental pass interference types.

[catalacjack]

If the defender makes the catch it is not pass interference.

[hawkman2111]

Iowa may have got lucky but the four teams that beat Iowa this year got lucky so it was about fucking time.

[legomonnate]

It IS pass interference because the Iowa player was starting to jump for the ball and he was prevented from jumping because the Penn State player was in the way.

Offence always gets the call in these situations.

[hoops912]

actually if u watch, the penn state safety goes straight up for the ball, the ioaw player runs into him, NOT PASS INTERFERENCE!

[westfootball32]

false

[thaKG]

This Penn State student sees pass interference.  Trust me, if that were to happen to one of my receivers, I'd want that called too.

[emg140]

it still amazes me the debate on this play.

Those who want to see it one way see PI, those who want to see it the other way are obviously correct.

[mattwheeler100]

Any person who doesn't think that is pass interference is a PSU fan. Easy call.

[tshields14]

clearly pass interference. I go to Delaware so I had no reason to support either team. He hits the receiver before the ball gets there, that call is easy.

[ehsraiderz]

And Stross wasn't trying to go for the ball either? Stross is CLEARLY TRYING to make a play on the ball. Look at him reaching for it.

That's an easy call regardless whether or not Stross even goes for the ball, and he did. That was some major contact. I've seen many many more way questionable calls than that lol.

[mynameiscolb]

The ball is in the air, the receiver is in a position to make an attempt at catching it (high throw or not, it was still well within his reach). The safety comes over and makes heavy contact with the receiver before the ball arrives. That's an easy call.

[HookDemHorns123]

hahahah penn state proves again they cant get through there weak big ten schedule but thank you iowa for being the spoiler for us and the longhorns to move back into the national championship.

[storminspank]

You can't go through a WR. He did. Penalty EVERY SINGLE TIME. One of the easiest call you can make.

[ajlmhv]

I'd like to see you post the video of the fumble at the goal line at the beginning of the game. You PSU boys came out ahead on that one, didn't you?

[johansen13]

yes that was definitely pass interference, but thanks for asking

[seanpatrick12]

Get real. The receiver was still on course to make a play on the ball, so it doesn't matter how "fixed" the safety was. It's the same as if he had an "established position" and blatantly shoved the receiver to the ground. Next time, make a play on the ball and don't maul the receiver. Plays like that tend to lose you a number 3 ranking.

[lakeshow499]

you could at least try to be gracious in defeat... that is an OBVIOUS pass interference... about as obvious as you can get...

[srk4044]

Considering every single commentator on every channel has agreed it was a good call, I don't think this should be an issue. He made contact with the receiver before the ball got there and he played through the receiver to try and get to the ball. Pass interference.

If Penn State fans are searching for a reason why their team lost this game, this call isn't what you should be looking at. There were plenty of bad play calls, plenty of missed opportunities, etc that should be your first priority.

[mdelanoit19]

he hit the reciever before he had a chance to catch the ball, how is that not pass interference? This was a good call by the ref.

[wapsibucks]

Was that ball at the goal line recovered by Penn State or is a punter lowering his foot onto a Hawkeye and falling down roufing the kicker. The answer to the first two bad call. The pass interference yes. If its not called why would you think the hawks would not convert their next play they did all the rest.

[ffg2454]

I'm still waiting for the intentional grounding call on Stanzi. :)

What a shame our coaching staff put us in the position where the refs mattered.

[mbarnabei]

bang bang play? Most certainly. Does it look, at first glance to be a penalty? Probably. But upon further review, I think you see a defender making a better play on the ball then the reciever and getting penalized for it.

Established position and jumped straight up.

[drhawkatk]

Why do we even have to comment on this? It's an obvious call, and a correct call. PSU did not get "###ed" or whatever you say. Based on the fact it actually happens so fast, I'm surprised the refs who made some bad calls earlier made the correct call this time. GO HAWKS

[mbarnabei]

jumps straight up, that is

[mbarnabei]

Usually don't comment on this but I was at the game and I'm losing sleep over it. Anyway, I think it comes down to this: Scirotto plants his feet and jumps straight as the Iowa reciever runs into him. Scirrotto was penalized for being in better position to catch the ball and going up stronger. I don't think Penn State played a good game, but I do think it was a bad call

[boxers74]

Give me a break, PSU didn't play like a #3 team that is for sure. Depending who you are, it may or may not be pass interference. One thing for sure that it is, is SOUR GRAPES.

[thecyborg]

Obvious pass interference. Only blind homers pulling for Penn State would even consider disputing it. You can't go through the receiver to get to the ball.

[wcbtee]

you guys are crazy that pass was totally catchable, the guy is a high jump champion and it was barely a foot over his hands...

[NJDevils1087]

"Eh..... What do you want me to say?"

Most depressing press conference ever.... Paterno after that game. He knows it might have been the best title shot he had left.

[jgohlke]

I wouldn't hang my hat on a bad call. If PSU was really that much better than Iowa, then the game shouldn't have been that close in the first place.

I agree it was a depressing press conference. Paterno is a quality guy, but I'm glad the Hawks won.

[NJDevils1087]

This was a terrible call. The receiver doesn't even LOOK for the ball. He's shielding Scarotto off and the S is going for the ball. Two reasons it shouldn't be called:

1. The ball is uncatchable. Even though it's close, the receiver never looks, no play.

2. Scarotto is PLAYING THE BALL, not the receiver. You're entitled to space, but not entitled to shield the defender from making a play without making an effort yourself.

I feel worst for JoePa... how many more chances will he have?

[scytheon]

Are you even watching the same replay?

The receiver is calling for the ball across the field, locks onto the ball and watches it all the way in. When he jumps, the defender impedes his progress to the ball.

The ball hits the defender in the shoulder area, which is a foot above the receiver. Saying that ball is not catchable is not an accurate representation of the play. Nor is saying that the receiver isn't watching for the ball.

[NJDevils1087]

The receiver called for it, but never looked up to begin making the catch... all he did was look back, see the defender behind and just run and try to draw a call, he never made ANY attempt to locate or catch the football after calling for it.

Clearly it is you seeing the replay poorly.

[scytheon]

I'm sorry, but no. As he is crossing, he calls for the ball, looks across the field to find a position, and then locks his head upfield looking for the ball. The entire rest of the time he is looking at the ball. His head never turns back to look at the defender after the one glance to the side as he is calling for the ball.

[westfootball32]

what are you talking about? are you saying that a guy who asks for the ball the entire field will suddenly just decide to not go after the football??? whatever dude

[altordwm]

So, I looked up the rule that everybody (especially Macguire) seems to know so well.

7-3-8 c. Defensive pass interference is contact beyond the neutral zone by a Team B

player whose intent to impede an eligible opponent is obvious...It is not

defensive pass interference:

2. When two or more eligible players are making a simultaneous and bona

fide attempt to reach, catch or bat the pass. Eligible players of either

team have equal rights to the ball.

Nothing about "running through the receiver"

[uselessidguy331]

It's just too heartbreaking to watch...it was the right call, but I am too crushed to even look at the highlight of Iowa making the field goal...

[bballwarrior12]

I'm not a Penn State fan but it's the wrong call. Nobody had position and they were both moving laterally to get to the football. The Penn State player got to the football first and therefore pass interference should not have been called. If you just watch the play for the ball and tell people that Penn State is on offense and Iowa is on defense, I guarantee it's defensive pass interference against Iowa but because Penn State's on defense, they get screwed. Did not cost them the game though.

[BansheeXYZ]

The receiver can only see the ball and is in position first while the defender behind him can see both and hits the man before it gets there. Thus, the only clear call is defensive pass interference. I've seen plays you describe where the roles are reversed and this isn't it.

[Stillertime55]

good call

[jmarkhinton]

Bob Griese sucks.....He was so dissapointed that Iowa got that call. He thought it should have been an uncatchable ball.....by the way he reacted at the end of this here!!!!!

[dice5199]

Bad call. The defender was trying to catch the ball. The defender jumped straight up in the air. The the receiver ran through the defender and knocked him 4 yds back from the point of contact. That is not a boast, or an opinion, it is bone hard medical fact.

[jmarkhinton]

Like Paul Macguire said, he went thru the receiver to get to the ball!!!!!

Good call by the refs......shut your mouth......PSU lost!!!!!

[NJDevils1087]

Macguire might be right about going through the receiver.

HOWEVER, your receiver is still expected to make a play on the ball. He doesn't even LOOK for the pass. He's totally given up on the play and just shields to draw a cheap call, which he did.

It's a terrible call really.

[HawkeyeCubP]

1. Correct call.

2. Yes, but by rule, he can't go through the head of the defender to do so.

3. The receiver didn't "run through" anyone.

4. The defender didn't get knocked back 4 yards by the receiver - the defender was jumping and running toward the sideline AND HIS OWN GOAL LINE. And this is a moot point anyway, because it doesn't have anything to do with OPI.

This was the correct call, regardless of what team fouled what team.

[dice5199]

We will disagree. The defender transferred him momentum from running to the sideline to a straight up vertical jumps, like a basketball player driving to the hoop. The momentum of the receiver caused him to be knocked 4 yards backwards. He jumps at the 47 yd line and lands at the 43 yd line. If the receiver and defender switched roles, it would have been called defensive pass interference. The offense tends to get preferential treatment on these calls, which isn't right.

[boozenews]

What about Iowa recovering the ball in the endzone to start the game? They gave PSU the ball at the one, even after replays show Iowa recovers in the endzone. Or the PI call on Iowa earlier in the game that gave PSU the ball at the 2, that was also very questionable. Roughing the punter? If anything it should have been running into the kicker with no first down for PSU. I think this was PI. The Penn State guy was going for the pick, but he went through the WR before the ball got there.

[brehmerz]

Of course it was a good call...the defender got their early by goin over stross' back

[elad29]

It was a good call, and even if it wasnt a good call we were due for a call you were getting calls the whole game, dont bitch.

[CutTheTension3]

If you are posting this as a PSU fan thinking you got robbed on this call then you are fucking hilarious. PSU blew it.

[xtrulonghornx]

lmaojjb it doesnt matter if hes going for the ball he hit him before the ball got there

[lmaojjb]

no hes was going for the fcukin ball penn state got bull shited it wasnt even gonna be completed. theyeve became so fucking pick about this rule!

[Governator33]

Paul MacGuire said it best: he was going for the ball but he went through the receiver which you CANNOT do.

[HawkeyeCubP]

"Going for the ball" doesn't allow you to break pass interference rules. Look them up - they're online and free.

[mdcarlson32]

easy call, the safety made contact far before the ball got to the receiver. HOW BOUT THEM HAWKS, BITCHES!!!!!!!!

[iowahawkeyesfan5]

easily u can't jump over the WR.

[mrtortfeasor33]

That is the definition of defensive PI.

[NJDevils1087]

The definition of defensive pass interference includes the stipulation that the ball must be catchable. The ball was not catchable.

[flyinghawk23]

pass interferance no doubt jo pa no

[GBArod]

It doesn't look to bad on tape but I was sitting even with were that play happened and #7 jumped on him. Plus what about that play in the first half where they called interference and it wasn't even catchable

[BleedingEyesMurphy]

CLEARLY the correct call. The refs screwed up several times (for both teams) throughout the game but this was not one of those times.

[pvhawkeye08]

That was one of the most obvious penalties in the game. What about the call penn state got on that defensive "holding" on the WR earlier in the game? I'm not saying there was no hold, but even that was less obvious than this play. Sorry, tough loss- we've had 4 this season, you guys are gonna end up in a BCS bowl and we're not- so stop your whining.

[MVillani1985]

Maybe not, if 1999 is any indicator, try the Alamo Bowl.