I didn't see the game, so I didn't see the original play, so I can't say if it was a fumble or not, but I don't think one can conclude from this frozen moment in time if it was or was not a fumble, because the evidence from one frame in this case is inconclusive. It looks like it was out at this point to me, but he also looks down, so was he down before it came out, or the other way around? This one frame isn't enough. Regardless though, it doesn't matter as T has the hardware. X had their chances to win and didn't take advantage of them. Congrats to T.

I didn't see the game, so I didn't see the original play, so I can't say if it was a fumble or not, but I don't think one can conclude from this frozen moment in time if it was or was not a fumble, because the evidence from one frame in this case is inconclusive. It looks like it was out at this point to me, but he also looks down, so was he down before it came out, or the other way around? This one frame isn't enough. Regardless though, it doesn't matter as T has the hardware. X had their chances to win and didn't take advantage of them. Congrats to T.

 

When you combine it with the video, to me it is VERY conclusive. He has enough control of the ball on the video to stretch it out in front of him, but we can agree to disagree.

If you had to make a judgement based on this picture alone (which, like others have said, is impossible) I would say it was a fumble. He clearly doesn't have control of the ball in this picture, it is already out of his hand.

As an X fan you will never admit that we won fair and square. As a ROCK fan, I will never admit otherwise. I will admit that we beat an awfully good football team. Congrats on a fine season. "GO ROCKS"

I repeat...this play is a non-issue. At the game, from a distance and being a Tiger fan I thought it was absolutely a fumble. On TV, during the slow motion replay you couldn't see when his elbow went down in relation to the ball coming free. In the photo, he's clearly down. He doesn't clearly have control of the ball--you can see turf between the ball and his hand and it doesn't look like all of his fingers are affixed to the ball. To me the photo is inconclusive--ergo the officials got it right! X can point to at least a dozen other plays they did have control over that could have made the difference(INT right through our DB's hands just before the Phillips non-fumble, countless missed tackles on Phillips which allowed him to gain first downs and keep drives alive in the first half and second half, fumble from center to QB in second half on goal line, Duece on the sideline on X's last series when we run AK once and Ben Z once and he gets banged up and then again a QB draw when he's clearly favoring a leg. Then the OT...The effort was there but the execution wasn't perfect at times. T made one more big play than we did and won the game fair and square.

Im an Owensboro fan, so I have no dog in this fight. From what I saw in the picture, the Trinity player does not have control of the ball. His elbow is down however, so when did the ball pop out? Before or after the elbow was down? I'd say you'd just have to live with the refs' call.

:fire:

Kick a FG before this play even thought about happening and this play is a non issue.

Ball is coming out........

I repeat...this play is a non-issue. At the game, from a distance and being a Tiger fan I thought it was absolutely a fumble. On TV, during the slow motion replay you couldn't see when his elbow went down in relation to the ball coming free. In the photo, he's clearly down. He doesn't clearly have control of the ball--you can see turf between the ball and his hand and it doesn't look like all of his fingers are affixed to the ball. To me the photo is inconclusive--ergo the officials got it right! X can point to at least a dozen other plays they did have control over that could have made the difference(INT right through our DB's hands just before the Phillips non-fumble, countless missed tackles on Phillips which allowed him to gain first downs and keep drives alive in the first half and second half, fumble from center to QB in second half on goal line, Duece on the sideline on X's last series when we run AK once and Ben Z once and he gets banged up and then again a QB draw when he's clearly favoring a leg. Then the OT...The effort was there but the execution wasn't perfect at times. T made one more big play than we did and won the game fair and square.

 

 

Don't 'you" (as in all of US) think we have banged on this issue (or non issue) enough? Why don't we agree that P's post above (and others like it ) can be the "official position" on the matter and give it a rest.

 

Two great teams. Two great seasons. ONe great game. One persevered.

I think we are both a bit "spoiled". what would all the other schools give to have a fraction of what we have? Sorry need to go put away the soap box,

Sorry!!!! That's a fumble. No way he had control of that ball when his elbow hit the ground. Non-issue though. 2 awesome teams in one awesome game.

I have no allegance to either team, except I have several friends who went to T and that looks like a fumble to me...

Sorry!!!! That's a fumble. No way he had control of that ball when his elbow hit the ground. Non-issue though. 2 awesome teams in one awesome game.

 

Correct me if I am wrong but the elbow on the ground is a non-issue. It is the same as putting down your hand to keep your balance. You have to go by whether a knee is on the ground or not. The ball is marked from the knee not the elbow. From that picture I cannot say that he is down because it appears he is on top of one of X's player's legs and I cannot see his bottom knee. The ball is coming out at this point so if he is on top of an X player's legs and his knee is not on the ground, it is a fumble. Maybe the TV angle is better? I have not seen it.

Correct me if I am wrong but the elbow on the ground is a non-issue. It is the same as putting down your hand to keep your balance. You have to go by whether a knee is on the ground or not. The ball is marked from the knee not the elbow. From that picture I cannot say that he is down because it appears he is on top of one of X's player's legs and I cannot see his bottom knee. The ball is coming out at this point so if he is on top of an X player's legs and his knee is not on the ground, it is a fumble. Maybe the TV angle is better? I have not seen it.

 

OK you're wrong:D

 

The hand can touch BUT the elbow can't.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but if any part of the body other then a hand or foot touches the ground the ball is down.

 

And I defer to the game officials on this call.

I stand corrected then.

Correct me if I am wrong but the elbow on the ground is a non-issue. It is the same as putting down your hand to keep your balance. You have to go by whether a knee is on the ground or not. The ball is marked from the knee not the elbow. From that picture I cannot say that he is down because it appears he is on top of one of X's player's legs and I cannot see his bottom knee. The ball is coming out at this point so if he is on top of an X player's legs and his knee is not on the ground, it is a fumble. Maybe the TV angle is better? I have not seen it.

 

An elbow is down.