ESPN replay analyst breaks down special teams no-call on Alabama punter James Burnip
Alabama fans aren’t going to be quiet about this one.
The final drive of the first quarter for the Crimson Tide ended in controversy as Alabama punter James Burnip was injured after Michigan’s Kechaun Bennett ran into him at the end of his punting motion.
Typically when a punter comes up injured after contact, more often than not it gets flagged for roughing the punter. No such flag was thrown, leaving many — including replay expert and former referee Bill Richardson — scratching their head.
“I’ve got minimally running into the kicker,” Richardson told Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit on the ESPN broadcast. “It was part of his kicking motion. Running into the kicker would have been a first down. I would have liked to see the flag on that one, even though it’s not roughing. You have to allow the punting motion to be completed without hitting him.”
Burnip ended up punting for Alabama on its next drive, this third of the afternoon — a rarity for the Crimson Tide specialist.
In the end, the no-call would have no consequence as Michigan would end up squandering the opportunity by punting on the ensuing drive, keeping the game knotted at seven a piece. Though, Michigan would be the next to strike with a highlight touchdown reception from QB JJ McCarthy to wideout Tyler Morris. Catch the rest of the game live on ESPN.
Jalen Milroe hypes Alabama with NSFW pregame speech
Jalen Milroe has turned into the leader for Alabama down the stretch this season. His teammates listen to him, and that was on display during his expletive-filled pregame speech ahead of the College Football Playoff semifinal against Michigan.
“They say they want it? Guess what — we’re going to give it to their ass!” Milroe told his teammates. “Relentless mother f***ing effort.
“Fast, free and fearless.”
Milroe broke the huddle and his Crimson Tide took the field at the Rose Bowl. Within five minutes of the game’s opening kickoff, an interception on the first play of the game was overturned and Michigan muffed a punt all took place before Jase McClellan — who can be seen standing next to Milroe in the pregame huddle — broke free on a 34-yard rush to break the game’s opening tie.
Alabama will be looking for similar explosiveness from the rest of their offense if they want to down the top-ranked Wolverines, who took a 13-7 lead in the second quarter. The question remains — can Alabama answer?