Notre Dame penalty for pick play costs them the game (Video)

Notre Dame and Florida State played a thrilling game on Saturday night in Tallahassee that the Seminoles won 31-27 thanks in part to a controversial penalty called on fourth down.

Notre Dame had a 4th-and-goal at the FSU 2 and scored on a passing play, but the touchdown was wiped out by an offensive pass interefence penalty that was called.

The Fighting Irish were backed up to the 18 as a result and replayed 4th down. Everett Golson’s pass was intercepted, giving the Seminoles the game.

FOX officiating guru Mike Pereira says offensive pass interference was the right call:

It was the right call. Actually could have called the other receiver too. Kudos to the ACC officials.

— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) October 19, 2014

Even if it was, how often do you see a penalty like that called at the end of a game?

Blake Griffin might start retaliating for hard fouls

Since entering the NBA, Blake Griffin has taken more than his fair share of hard fouls. To this point, he’s done a decent job of just walking away afterward. It’s possible those days could be coming to an end shortly.

On Friday night, Griffin was fouled on his way to the basket by Trevor Booker of the Utah Jazz. It didn’t appear to be dirty in nature, but that didn’t stop tempers from flaring.

After the game, Griffin suggested if the hard fouls continue, retaliation would be considered.

When Griffin was asked if he feels close to retaliating if the hard fouls continue, he said via ESPN LA, “Yeah, probably. I’m not going to do it for no reason or if it’s not warranted and I didn’t feel that was.”

“I was going to, but then I thought, ‘It’s preseason,’ ” Griffin said when asked about retaliating. “It’s not worth it. That’s not the person I want to waste it on.”

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers added that he thinks Griffin is the victim of more cheap shots than anyone in the league.

Griffin openly discussing the possibility of retaliating is, obviously, not what the NBA wants to hear from one of its bigger names. Depending on how he chooses to respond, Griffin could put his team at a disadvantage if it results in him not being on the floor. Maybe he will continue to keep his cool and a level head, but it surely seems as though Blake is getting really close to “enough is enough” territory.

Jameis Winston gets in Cam Erving’s face on sidelines (Video)

Jameis Winston got in the face of teammate Cam Erving on the sidelines during Florida State’s game with Notre Dame on Saturday.

The confrontation occurred late in the third quarter after Florida State went three-and-out with the game tied at 24. The Seminoles started with the ball at their 13 and went backwards because of a sack and penalty. They eventually punted.

Cameras caught Winston yelling at Erving, a senior offensive lineman. Though the contents of the conversation are obviously unknown, ESPN’s announcers treated it as an example of Winston showing his leadership on Florida State’s sidelines.

Video via GIFD Sports

LenDale White goes off on Pat Haden after being kicked out of locker room (Video)

LenDale White returned to the Coliseum on Saturday to watch his alma mater destroy Colorado, but he was not as welcomed as he hoped, and he ended up going on a cursing fit on Twitter as a result.

White, who played running back for USC from 2003-2005 and is the school’s career leader in rushing touchdowns, was all stoked about returning to LA to watch his team play. He started off the day excited, as evidenced by this tweet:

Can't wait to see my fav coach @CoachSark @ #thecoli today!! Great day to b a #TROJAN #beleedat #FIGHTON # is for victory

— LenDale White (@THEREAL_LENDALE) October 18, 2014

He also took quite a few pictures:

But things went sideways after the game.

According Max Meyer, who covers USC Football for Neon Tommy, White was escorted out of the Trojans’ locker room by police. Meyer believes White’s exit from the locker room was related to his rant last week when he called for USC to fire defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox while the team nearly blew a lead against Arizona (the Trojans won 28-26).

So apparently former #USC RB Lendale White tried to go to the locker room after the game, but was escorted out by police. He's angry now.

— Max Meyer (@TheMaxMeyer) October 19, 2014

I'd think #USC didn't allow Lendale White in the locker room after his "Fire Justin Wilcox" Twitter rant last week. Now wants Haden fired.

— Max Meyer (@TheMaxMeyer) October 19, 2014

LenDale later confirmed over Twitter that he was kicked out of the locker room by Haden.

I can't believe @ADHadenUSC kicked me out of #thecoli shook my hand then had me escorted out. I'm still at a loss for words!!!

— LenDale White (@THEREAL_LENDALE) October 19, 2014

How did LenDale respond? He sent a tweet to USC athletic director Pat Haden, calling him a coward.

Below are the tweets sent by White during last week’s game against Arizona that probably got him on USC’s bad side (edited for profanity):

(more…)

Florida fans chant ‘Fire Muschamp’ during blowout (Video)

It’s been an up and down season thus far for the Florida Gators, but Saturday’s game against Missouri was rock bottom.

Late in the third quarter, the Gators were down 42-0, in The Swamp. I don’t remember ever seeing Florida down 42-0 at home. Apparently, neither has Warren Sapp.

The lopsided score was enough for fans around Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to break out in a chorus of “Fire Muschamp.”

After an 11-2 season under Will Muschamp in 2012, the Gators went 4-8 last year and didn’t make an appearance in a bowl game for the first time since 1990. For the University of Florida, that’s unacceptable. So is getting blown out at home. The fans chanting for Muschamp to be fired may get their wish sooner rather than later. I doubt anyone would be surprised.

H/T SB Nation

Listen to Lou Holtz speak some undecipherable gibberish (Video)

Lou Holtz has lots of great messages to impart on ESPN’s college football coverage, I’m sure, if only you could understand a word he says.

The sufferin’ succotash of an analyst took things to a new level on Saturday.

Our friend Isaac at With Leather snagged the video above. We seriously have no clue what Lou was trying to say. The only thing that could help him at this point would be subtitles, though even the closed-captioning folks were lost:

Cal WR Trevor Davis carted off field after hit on kickoff return

Cal wide receiver Trevor Davis was carted off the field at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Saturday after taking a hit to the head on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter.

UCLA had just kicked a go-ahead field goal to take a 36-34 lead and Davis was returning the ensuing kickoff. He took the ball to around the 20 and was hit in the head by UCLA linebacker Ryan Hofmeister’s knee.

Davis, who had 3 catches for 29 yards including a touchdown, went down to the ground. The stadium felt silent and all the Cal players took a knee on the sidelines.

Cal players wait quietly while injured teammate Trevor Davis is attended to by medical staff. pic.twitter.com/wawaqFb8VJ

— Jeff Faraudo (@JeffFaraudo) October 18, 2014

Thankfully Davis gave a thumbs up after being lifted onto the ambulance. He was taken to a local hospital for further treatment.

Jameis Winston girlfriend Breion Allen still wearing the No. 5 jersey

Just when you thought Jameis Winston was losing support from all corners except FSU fans, you see that there are still several people behind him, including girlfriend Breion Allen.

Allen is a junior at Rice University and plays basketball for the Houston school. She played in 26 games last year, averaging 2.3 points in 8.2 minutes per game. Allen attended Hoover High school in Alabama, nearby where Winston went to school.

Allen and Winston have been together since high school and even weather the sexual assault allegations against the Florida State quarterback. Remember that Winston admitted to having sex with the accuser in late 2012. The significant difference being he said it was consensual while the alleged victim said it was not. Apparently Allen has long forgiven him for it.

Breion has consistently supported Jameis throughout the season. She has posted photos on Instagram of herself in FSU No. 5 jerseys to represent Jameis’ number. Naturally, she was also in the house for the Seminoles’ season opener at Jerry World in Arlington.

Allen is an aspiring sports broadcaster and has interned for Comcast SportsNet Houston. Below is her demo reel:

Nick Montana spikes ball on 4th down (Video)

Tulane quarterback Nick Montana, the son of NFL legend Joe Montana, had what will likely be his most embarrassing moment of the year during his team’s loss to UCF on Saturday. Facing a 4th down with the clock winding down late in the first half, Montana decided to hurry his team to the line of scrimmage and spike the ball.

When we say facing a 4th down, we mean it was 4th down. Rather than tossing up a Hail Mary, Montana spiked the ball and turned it over on downs. UCF ended up taking a knee to end the half. They went on to win 20-13.

Tulane was inside field goal range, but they had no timeouts remaining. There’s no way they would have been able to stop the clock and pick up a first down in two seconds. Still, it was an unfortunate brain fart. You’ll be seeing that one on SportsCenter’s Not Top 10 all week — probably atop the list.

Video via The Score

Marshawn Lynch reportedly ‘went off’ after Percy Harvin was traded

It seems like the Seahawks traded Percy Harvin to the New York Jets on Friday because the wide receiver wasn’t getting along with his teammates and wanted out of Seattle. Apparently Marshawn Lynch was an exception.

According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Lynch was furious on Friday when he learned Harvin had been traded. The star running back reportedly “went off” and almost refused to get on the bus the Seahawks were boarding to head to the airport for their game against the St. Louis Rams.

Lynch also indicated on Twitter that he was upset about the trade.

I’m sure Golden Tate, who reportedly got a black eye from Harvin, felt differently about Lynch as a teammate. The same is probably true of Russell Wilson and other Seahawks players who supposedly got into confrontations with Harvin.

Lynch’s reaction shows that the locker room is at least somewhat divided on the decision.

H/T Pro Football Talk