Refs on INT: No 'indisputable video evidence'

See for yourself here

CHAMPAIGN – A last-gasp Illini drive ended in a controversial interception ruling that was supported by the replay official.

With less than 40 seconds left in the game and Illinois facing fourth and 1 at its own 30, Jacob Charest threw to Jarred Fayson near the right sideline. The line judge ruled that Fayson, who fell to the field while trying to make the catch, never had possession of the ball. With the ball still on Fayson's body, Wildcats cornerback Sherrick McManis grabbed it for what was ruled an interception. Because the ball had yet to touch the field, it remained a "live" ball.

Replay official Tom Quinn reviewed the play and did not find "indisputable evidence" to overturn the on-field ruling.

In a postgame statement to a pool reporter, referee Dan Capron described the play and subsequent ruling this way:

"What the line judge saw was the Illinois receiver attempt to catch the pass, but he never completed possession of the ball. He was on his back in the field of play and the ball was basically on his chest. The receiver did not firmly grab and possess the ball. Before he had an opportunity to do so, the defender from Northwestern came up and did possess the ball, and that's why it was ruled an interception on the field.

"That play was then buzzed by the replay booth, as we expected it would be given the magnitude of the call. Then, Tom Quinn determined that there was not indisputable video evidence available to overturn the call on the field."

McManis said the ball was up for grabs after it reached Fayson.

"It was kind of like no one really had it yet and then somebody had to get it," the Wildcats senior said. "And that's what I did. I got the ball and came up with it.

"It was kind of just a fight, a little fight down there and I just pulled the ball and I ended up with it."

The interception was McManis' fourth of the season.

Comments

Add a Comment