Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen called for disciplinary action against the SEC replay official who worked the Bulldogs' 29-19 loss to Florida after a Gators touchdown that might have been a fumble was not overturned.
Mullen said Sunday it's understandable if a field official makes a mistake because of the speed of the game, but the replay official can take his time and should be held accountable.
"I don't even know why we have replay right now in the Southeastern Conference if they're not going to utilize it," Mullen said.
"That's twice now that they've blown calls on the replay with our games, resulting in big plays, and I think that's unexcusable for that official. I hope he's severely punished if he ever works another SEC game again, because I think it's completely unacceptable."
The replay official listed for the game in Starkville on Saturday night was Dan Dembinski.
Mullen's comments come a few days after SEC commissioner Mike Slive suspended an officiating crew for two personal foul penalties in the Arkansas-Florida and LSU-Georgia games that league officials said should not have been called.
It was the first time the league publicly suspended an officiating crew. The group won't return to duty until Nov. 14 and bowl assignments could be affected.
SEC spokesman Charles Bloom said the league would have no comment until after the play is reviewed today.
The play Mullen disputed happened in the fourth quarter with Florida up 23-13.
Gators linebacker Dustin Doe returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown, but replays showed Brandon McRae might have stripped the ball from the celebrating linebacker short of the goal line. If the call had been overturned, the Bulldogs would have been given the ball at the 20 with 8:25 left in the fourth quarter.
Instead, it was Florida's second touchdown in 33 seconds and it effectively sealed the win.
"There's no excuse for a guy who has the amount of time to replay the video to make sure they get the call right," Mullen said. "That's why we have instant replay and I think it's embarrassing that they blew that call. I've seen still shots of the ball out of his hand. I don't think that's acceptable on a guy that has the ability to watch all the different angles."
Kentucky Riddled With Injuries: A mounting injury list couldn't come at a worse time for Kentucky coach Rich Brooks.
Heading into what he describes as one of the most critical games of the season against Mississippi State (3-5, 1-3 SEC) on Saturday, Brooks is without many key members of his team.
"We obviously could be in a lot better shape physically," Brooks said.
The Wildcats (4-3, 1-3) suffered a major injury blow on defense as senior linebacker Micah Johnson left the game in the first half of Saturday's 36-13 win over Louisiana-Monroe with a knee injury. Johnson is questionable heading into the weekend.
The Wildcats also will be without starting cornerback Trevard Lindley and starting quarterback Mike Hartline, and are they nursing less serious injuries to running backs Alfonso Smith (wrist) and Derrick Locke (knee), and receiver Randall Cobb (knee).
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Comments » 2
AFVol423 writes:
If they saw the reverse angle replay that was shown on TV, there was no question the ball was out at the 1 yard line. Charles Bloom has made some statements this year that explain why the officials are so bad. He doesn't even know the rules. His statement about time running out in the TN/AL game doesn't make any sense. Everyone knows that the period or the game can't end on a defensive penalty. last time I checked, removing your helmet during the play is an automatic unsprotsman like penalty. The SEC needs to seriously look at the Officiating from the top down. This is going to be the biggest question mark on any national championship and the SEC championship. With this many blown calls that affect the outcome of games, did the teams that make it to the championship actually deserve to be there?
marinevol writes:
Come on guys, this was Florida. What did you expect? Well, is Mullen's criticism of the officiating going to get him a reprimand, like Kiffin? Or, does his past association with Florida and Urban Meyer get him a pass? It's time for Slive to go.
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