About That Penalty
USC received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after C.J. Gable's 33-yard run in the second quarter. Pete Carroll said officials threw a flag because several players, including Rey Maualuga and David Ausberry, ran on the field to celebrate.
They also did it after the second touchdown, but the officials were not sure if the players were on the field for the extra point, so no penalty was called.
This type of penalty is probably the most arbitrary and subjective one on the books. Can anyone concretely define "excessive celebrating?" I say give the kids a little more leeway than the zebras are inclined to do when the kids are simply celebrating amongst themselves after a touchdown, as long as the team is not playing to the crowd or taunting the other team.
And this penalty was costly because it greatly aided Virginia to score a touchdown that momentarily made a game of it, 21-7.
Scott, can you ask Caesar why he doesn't have the team practice good sportsmanship after scoring a touchdown? Acting like yahoos could cost us in a close game in the BCS championship.
Are you sure it wasn't on the Fat Booster? What happened to him? Didn't see his mug.