On Monday afternoon, the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan Wolverines faced off in the Rose Bowl in the first semifinal matchup of the College Football Playoff. But unfortunately, a controversial decision from the referees caused quite a lot of conversation.
During the first half of the game, Alabama punter James Burnip was injured after Michigan’s Kechaun Bennett ran into him as he completed his punting motion. But despite the contact, no flag was thrown. But replay expert and former referee Bill Richardson seemed to think there should have at least been a flag for running into the kicker on the play.
“I’ve got minimally running into the kicker,” Richardson told Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit on the ESPN broadcast. “It was part of his kicking motion. Running into the kicker would have been a first down. I would have liked to see the flag on that one, even though it’s not roughing. You have to allow the punting motion to be completed without hitting him.”
roughing the punter?
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 1, 2024
If the referees had thrown the flag, it would have been a first down for Alabama the Crimson Tide needed just four yards to get a first down on the play.
It was certainly a controversial no-call from the referees, and the college football world was not happy about it on social media.
Not roughing but 100% should have been running into https://t.co/bm6iIdqS0l
— Logan Lewis (@BroganLL) January 1, 2024
This Michigan fan ref is paying off. That’s his call. https://t.co/0yz6itoUiY
— Brutus Sparty (@buckeye_spartan) January 1, 2024
Obviously. https://t.co/z7NXo3BHTU
— Byron York (@ByronYork) January 1, 2024
There may be no easier call for a ref to make than running into the kicker. Somehow the Rose Bowl crew missed this that would have given Bama a first down.
7-7. Great game otherwise thus far. https://t.co/RB8D8TzfAr
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) January 1, 2024
Should’ve been running into the kicker since he hit the kicking leg. 5 yard penalty, first down Alabama https://t.co/HaILHkclRv
— Andrew Bumps (@bumpsa21) January 1, 2024
Should have been running into. 5yrd penalty. https://t.co/IYaPGS1peC
— Matt (@Mattyb71) January 1, 2024
Michigan took a 13-10 lead into halftime.
