Colleges

SEC: Leak fumble correct call

The head of officials upholds the controversial decision in UF's l oss.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published October 17, 2006

GAINESVILLE - The man who oversees SEC football officials said Monday that the officiating crew in Saturday's Florida-Auburn game made the correct call when it said UF quarterback Chris Leak fumbled on a controversial fourth-quarter play as the Gators were attempting to take the lead.

Florida coach Urban Meyer challenged the ruling on the field, contending Leak was in the act of passing and that the play should have been ruled an incomplete pass. That would have given the Gators an opportunity to attempt a short field goal and take a two-point lead.

Al Ford of Florence, Ala., was in the replay booth and affirmed the ruling on the field.

"The official on the field and in the replay booth got the call correct," said Rogers Redding, coordinator of football officials.

The play occurred with 9:19 left and UF trailing by one. On third and 3 from the Auburn 6, Leak dropped back and pumped-faked, then drew his arm back again and appeared to be in the act of throwing when Auburn's Quentin Groves knocked the ball loose. It was recovered by Tray Blackmon, who returned it to the Auburn 38.

Talk radio, television analysts and fans debated the call and at least one replay appeared to show Leak's arm in a throwing motion, but Redding said Monday afternoon there is no debate.

"What was judged was that the quarterback started his arm forward but stopped his passing motion, and then he had his arm outstretched and he lost possession of the ball," Redding said. "The replay official agreed when he lost possession of the ball he was not in the act of passing. There were sort of two steps: He brought his arm forward, then he stopped with his arm outstretched, then the ball came out and it was not in the act of passing.

"When we reviewed it, that's how we saw it," said Redding, who added he watched the game live on television and believes the officials did a good job overall in the game.

Florida 6-1, 4-1 SEC does not play this week and did not practice or have media availability on Monday. Meyer could not be reached for comment. Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley directed all calls to the SEC office.

Immediately after Saturday night's game, the Florida players, including Leak, insisted the call was incorrect.

"I thought my arm was coming forward," Leak said.

Meyer said he was told by his coaches in the booth upstairs that Leak was in the throwing motion, which is why he used his final timeout to challenge the call.

Redding said he and other league officials slowed the tape and looked at it carefully, using the same views the replay officials used Saturday night, coming to the same conclusion as those who worked the game.

Antonya English can be reached at (813) 226-3389 or english@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 17, 2006, 02:36:56]