SEATTLE — Their hands were tied, the officials said.
It was a call they had no choice but to make.
It’s right there in the NCAA’s rulebook, Rule 9-2-1-2-c. It’s a rule that, amongst other things says that, “Specific prohibited acts and conduct include… throwing the ball high into the air.”
So even though Jake Locker didn’t appear to be taunting any BYU players after his three-yard touchdown pulled the Huskies to within one point with two seconds remaining, officials had no choice but to flag the Washington quarterback for flinging the ball into the air after diving into the end zone.
“After the scoring the touchdown, the player threw the ball into the air and we are required, by rule, to assess a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty,” referee Larry Farina told a UW spokesman. “It is a celebration rule that we are required to call. It was not a judgment call.”
The penalty backed the Huskies up on the tying extra-point attempt, and Ryan Perkins’ 35-yard kick was blocked by Jan Jorgensen to preserve a 28-27 BYU win.
Locker, his teammates and coaches refrained from ripping the officials after the game — though offensive coordinator Tim Lappano gave officials an earful on his way off the field — but several people indicated that the call may not have been necessary given the situation.
“That was tough,” Lappano said, having calmed down prior to meeting with the media. “He did break the rule, but by no means did he mean any disrespect to BYU. He wasn’t taunting anybody, he was celebrating with his teammates. He flipped it up in the air, which is against the rules, but that one hurt. By no means was he taunting anybody or meaning any disrespect, but it’s a penalty and he understands the deal. That was a tough lesson to learn.”
Washington coach Tyrone Willingham also refrained from being critical of the call, but said he wished that, given the situation, officials had the ability to make a judgment on the call.
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s almost one they have to call,” he said. “It really should be a no-call, but it’s one they have to call if they see it.”
Locker, who rushed for two touchdowns and passed for one, said he has never been flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct in his football career, adding that flipping the ball into the air isn’t part of his normal post-touchdown routine.
“I was kind of disappointed in myself that I had done that,” he said. “I’ve never done anything like that in the past. I wasn’t trying to show anybody up by doing in. That’s not what I’m about. I have too much respect for the guys that we played. That’s a good football team. I just was excited. I like to play the game with emotion and it got the best of me tonight.”
Locker emotion and the ensuing call turned a chip-shot extra point, which would have sent the game into overtime, into a more difficult attempt. Perkins’ kick was low, and the middle of the line didn’t hold up as Jorgensen broke through. Willingham said the penalty was a difference maker, but noted that his team should still be able to convert a 35-yard kick.
“It changes everything,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any question about that. It made a difference, but it’s still one we should be able to count on ourselves to be able to protect and get off a kick.”
Willingham said that, had the Huskies not been penalized, they would have still kicked the extra point rather than going for two and the win.
Locker’s teammates didn’t blame their quarterback for the way he celebrated the touchdown.
“You’ve got to just let us play,” said linebacker Mason Foster. “It was a big play, at home, first home game against a big team. I think anybody would do the same thing in the same situation. It’s tough.”
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