Don Alexander
Time to clear my board of all the questions I’ve been asked during the last couple of weeks. Always envious of the great job Marilyn does with her advice column, I want her to know I get questions too!
I’m on my way to see the USC-Utah football game. It’s on tonight (Thursday). I see it at 7 p.m in Utah and you see it at 6. Let me know how it ends. Going to the game with Son Dan and his wife Lorri, and my wife, Gayle. Also going are Salt Lake City residents Joe, my brother, and his wife Barbara. Should be fun. Tell you all about it next week.
Q: What do you think about replacement referees and that “call” that gave Seattle the game over Green Bay.
A: A compilation of many questions asked of me recently. First the call was right! Let me explain.
The ball was thrown in the end zone and both the offensive player and defensive player had the ball. Did the defensive player have 75 percent of the ball? Maybe. But the rules say that if it it’s caught simultaneously it is an offensive catch. It doesn’t say 51 percent, 99 percent or 1 percent. Just the big word, simultaneously.
The referee came over, looked down and saw they both had the ball. He had to rule that way.
But, you say, the offensive guy pushed off. Yes, that should have been called (offensive pass interference, game over) but it wasn’t and the replay guy can’t make calls on the field. And, I’ve got to tell you, pushing happens all the time in the scrums.
Should Green Bay look at themselves for making the game go to the very last play? Yes. Well, actually it wasn’t the last play. The teams were ordered out of their dressing rooms 11 minutes after the play so Seattle could kick the extra point. Even though the game was decided on the catch and no time was left.
The referees: Anybody see the regular refs make a mistake? Come on. Yes the officials were in over their heads but they did a good job, considering.
Did you see all the quotes from the players saying they were pushing the line over what they are doing to take advantage of the newbies. Bill Billichick, Patriots head coach, grabbed a $50,000 arm of a replacement ref and others tried to intimidate them.
Congratulations to the replacements for doing the best job they could. I’m not sure the regular guys could do any better under the circumstances!
Q: What did Guido say about the Seattle-Green Bay game.
A: He said one casino gave back the bets to all Green Bay betters who could prove they bet on the cheese faces. He said there was over $100 million bet worldwide and the money was paid to Seattle betters.
He said that Green Bay had the game and the points until that grab. That made Seattle the winner and the money changed hands.
Q: Are you surprised that UCLA is doing so well?
A: Yes. And who’s going to beat them? In the Pac-12, six of the 12 teams are ranked in the top 25 football teams in the country now. Who knows?
That brings me to a problem. A long time ago I foolishly agreed to a cruise that means I will be on the ocean between Hawaii and Los Angeles during the big UCLA-USC game on Nov. 17. Princess doesn’t know how I can watch the game, or even get it on radio. Does anybody have an idea how and I can get that game? I gotta watch it!
Q: Did you see the Ryder Cup? We blew it!
A: I didn’t see it, bro but I read about it. The Americans had a big lead in the golf classic but Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods choked big time and lost by a point. What can I say? Europe beat us.
Q: The Pac-12 has six teams in the top 25 in the country! Is this a great league this year or what?
A: Please read question above. The league is good this year and now we will beat each other up. But six teams after five games is great. Let’s see how it ends up.
Contact Don Alexander at Journaldon@aol.com.
