WATCH: Former NFL referee reviews controversial call in ND-USC game
Sunday Night Football rules expert and from NFL referee Terry McAulay posts his analysis on controversial plays throughout the weekend, including Notre Dame-USC. With more than 20 years of officiating experience, he provides expertise with added time to provide in-depth analysis. Among this week’s most debated outcomes is USC’s fourth quarter interception against Notre Dame.
On first-and-10 from the USC 42-yard line, Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan dropped back in the pocket. He delivered a ball down the right sideline to Kevin Austin Jr., but USC cornerback Chris Steele provided tight coverage. Austin and Steele both got their hands on the ball as they fell toward the ground, each holding on as referees convened to make a call.
Officials ruled an interception and confirmed by replay, much to McAulay’s dismay.
“This play was ruled an interception and confirmed by replay,” posted McAulay. “It is not. It’s a catch and down by the receiver. The receiver gains control first and then the defender gets control. At first, it appears to be a simultaneous catch which belongs to the offense.”
The play did not ultimately impact the outcome of Notre Dame’s 31-16 win over USC, but referees like Terry McAulay look for perfection on the field. He provided a more in-depth explanation of the controversial call in a later post.
“But the receiver touches the ground first with control and maintains control when he hits the ground,” posted McAulay. “The rules make this a simply a catch by the receiver and not a simultaneous catch. His knee then touches before he loses control. Replay should have stopped and reversed.”
More on Notre Dame-USC rivalry
Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn trolled Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart on Twitter with a post counting the days since USC last beat Notre Dame. Quinn works alongside Bush and Leinart as college football analysts for Fox, which Quinn called attention to after Fox College Football made a post discussing the schools’ rivalry.
Notre Dame has won seven of the last ten matchups between the two, and the post made asked if they were going to add another win. Quinn didn’t skip on a chance to mention the post again after Notre Dame won Saturday.
“I know how painful this was for ALL our USC alums [at College Football on Fox] to post this. Go Irish! 1791 days and counting…”
Quinn’s post counted the number of days it has been since USC’s last victory over Notre Dame. With another win, his tally of the days will go beyond 2,000 before their next time facing each other.