...defense gave up 510 passing yards and 600 total yards against South Carolina Saturday. This with a defensive line with projected first round draft picks at every position.
This is not a knock on Venables. I’m just trying to put defensive performances into context. WVU and Tech fans are up in arms about OU’s yardage and point totals, and OU has a far superior QB than USC’s Bentley.
Maybe it’s time for some NCAA rule changes. A big one would be permitting offensive linemen to be downfield no more than one yard on a pass, even passes behind the line of scrimmage. If I remember correctly, that rule was changed to facilitate option pitches so that refs weren’t under pressure to determine whether or not pitches were laterals or forward passes. And don’t allow other receivers to block downfield until after a pass is completed; that used to be considered offensive pass interference. Finally, call pass interference both ways. Baylor’s first TD on Saturday involved a major push off, a fully extended arm, that of course went uncalled since the defender’s helmet had a Double T on the side. This last one would not involve a rule change, just a change in officiating emphasis.
This is not a knock on Venables. I’m just trying to put defensive performances into context. WVU and Tech fans are up in arms about OU’s yardage and point totals, and OU has a far superior QB than USC’s Bentley.
Maybe it’s time for some NCAA rule changes. A big one would be permitting offensive linemen to be downfield no more than one yard on a pass, even passes behind the line of scrimmage. If I remember correctly, that rule was changed to facilitate option pitches so that refs weren’t under pressure to determine whether or not pitches were laterals or forward passes. And don’t allow other receivers to block downfield until after a pass is completed; that used to be considered offensive pass interference. Finally, call pass interference both ways. Baylor’s first TD on Saturday involved a major push off, a fully extended arm, that of course went uncalled since the defender’s helmet had a Double T on the side. This last one would not involve a rule change, just a change in officiating emphasis.
