Suspension possible for Bama player for hit on Georgia QB Aaron Murray
ATHENS — Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity confirmed Monday the Bulldogs have asked the SEC to review the legality of a hit on Aaron Murray that required him to be helped off the field shortly before halftime in the SEC Championship game. But they need not have bothered; the league office is already looking into it.
Alabama defensive lineman Quinton Dial hit Murray with a above-the-shoulder, helmet-to-helmet strike after Murray threw an interception at the 1:15 mark of the second quarter. Crimson Tide defensive back Ha-Sean Clinton-Dix was in the midst of a 35-yard return when the 304-pound Dial left his feet and made contact with the side of Murray’s helmet toward the end of the play. Murray was out of the play and not in position to make the tackle.
McGarity said he was “stunned” when he saw the replay of the Dial’s hit — he missed it during live-game-action — and immediately moved to make sure the play was going to be reviewed.
“I actually didn’t see the hit until I saw it on YouTube (Sunday),” McGarity said of SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. “It is definitely a play we will submit for review, but I’m sure that’s already being done. “I’m anxious to see what (SEC Commissioner Mike Slive) says about it.”
Steve Shaw, the SEC’s coordinator of officials, has already reviewed the play and determined that Saturday’s referees “missed the call.”
“By rule, you can’t hit a defenseless player above the shoulders,” Shaw told The Birmingham News. “What the determination needs to be is was this a defenseless player and was contact initiated above the shoulders? When we go through video review of it, that’s what we’ll have to determine. And then you as you break it down, did he lead with the head or lead with the shoulder? From game action, it was a personal foul regardless of how we break it down frame by frame.”
That would not have changed the ultimate outcome of the play. Alabama would have retained possession as the personal foul would have occurred well after the interception. But it would have backed it up 15 yards from the point of contact, which was near midfield.
Above-the-shoulders hits and “targeting” defenseless players have been a point of emphasis for the SEC this season and for all of football as the dangers of concussions have become better known. Slive suspended two players — Ole Miss defensive back Trae Elston and South Carolina safety D.J. Swearinger – for one game each for such hits earlier this season. Dial will face the same fate, and the Crimson Tide’s next game is the BCS national championship.
NCAA rules mandate that conference offices review any flagrant personal foul or targeting for possible future punishment, whether a penalty was called on the field or not.
“We do want to stand up for our players when they are in serious danger of being injured,” McGarity said. “This is a case where it could have had serious implications on Aaron, not only in that game but in future games.”
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1,117 comments Add your comment
Heywood Jablowme
December 3rd, 2012
8:35 pm
Murray was a defender after he threw that interception. Knock his sissy ass out. FOOTBALL BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bamaguy
December 3rd, 2012
8:36 pm
Our true freshman rb (yeldon) trucked Olgletree right out of his cleats and onto his backside. That is why we won. We were more physical and the Dogs D layed down
daddo
December 3rd, 2012
8:37 pm
I was choosing a new password for my computer and tried ‘GeorgiaDefense’ but it came back, ‘Too Weak.’
TNDAWG
December 3rd, 2012
8:38 pm
Listen, you tater diggers. If small statute Sabin better do the right thing, I may suit up again and show these &^&^^*(& Alabama players REAL DIRTY PLAY
Is the dawgs starting lineup still in the Athens jail?
December 3rd, 2012
8:38 pm
Georgia fan’s inferiority always shows. They run tattle to the SEC when something goes wrong because they know when it comes to a big game they will never come through.
Randy
December 3rd, 2012
8:38 pm
Very classless hit. Anyone who ever played the game knows this was a cheap shot!! Great game for both teams.
Jerry
December 3rd, 2012
8:38 pm
Just ask Chick Granning about how those Bama boys like to hit defenseless players. It’s a proud Alabama tradition. At least Murray still has his teeth.
ANN MURRAY
December 3rd, 2012
8:39 pm
MY FACE IS STILL HURTING, I QUIT.
BigDawg
December 3rd, 2012
8:40 pm
You dumb elephants have the perfect nickname, Roll Tide! Cause right before we ran out of time even after we gave up 350 yards rushing you were about to crap your pants when we were on the 8 yard line at the end of the game, with another 30 seconds you woulda needed a roll! Bahahahahahaha
TTT
December 3rd, 2012
8:41 pm
I can’t come to bed, honey; I’m arguing on the internet!
Would it have been better
December 3rd, 2012
8:41 pm
if Murray had to taken off the field on a stretcher? A real possibility and this hit cannot be equated with an incomplete pass, tipped pass, or even the McCarron hit (who had the presence of mind to flail his arms for a flag, which came and McCarron continued to play). Murray was knocked senseless by Dix with a referee standing 8 yards away viewing the illegal hit, and did nothing.
That official should be suspended for not acting on a flagrant foul he had to see.
Dix should be suspended for taking the extra effort to hit Murray with a punishing hit, knowing Murray was looking down field and could be blindsided.
This hit would have been rewarded with a bounty in New Orleans.
Btw, the official who ignored the obvious ‘flagrant hit’ should also be fined for not doing his job.
Don’t whine about the little things that go wrong and compare them to potentially life threatening hits.
bamaguy
December 3rd, 2012
8:42 pm
I heard Richt called the team in today for a big full frontal hug.
potterfan
December 3rd, 2012
8:43 pm
Absolutely he should be suspended. It was ridiculous that the refs blew the call on Saturday. Someone who would take such a cheap shot aimed at causing the opponent a potential career ending injury needs to be called out for his action and must pay a consequence. Only then will coaches and players take safety seriously.
marseilles mutt
December 3rd, 2012
8:43 pm
This blog should be titled NFL; No Football/Fans ‘Lowed.
At the end of the day somebody wins and somebody loses. UGA showed up and played well. So we lost…
but, hope I can hang on til next year when we get USCe, LSU, and Clempson all in September. Try bitchin’ about THAT schedule….oh and then play AU, UF etc. on top of that.
Should be kind of a UA East. A darn good offense- including, maybe even especially- the OL and I think a pretty strong, although rebuilding, defense.
This was a darn good year for the Dogs! Enjoyed everything but SC, but was impressed as to how they came back.
Forrest
December 3rd, 2012
8:43 pm
Run Quinton Ruuuuun
Would it have been better
December 3rd, 2012
8:44 pm
….substitute Dial for Dix. The name doesn’t matter, the act does.
John
December 3rd, 2012
8:44 pm
im so tired of all these bama fans!!!! both teams played they’re butts off!!! great game and congrats to Bama!!! bad calls in the first half. bad calls in the second! UGA deserves respect!!! Roll Tide against the Irish. All UA, GT and FL posers that can’t find a better blog than an ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION blog, hence ATLANTA!!! Go baqck to where you came from!!! GO DAWGS!!!
bamaguy
December 3rd, 2012
8:45 pm
I love these argurments about how Georgia almost beat us and that the Tide was so scared. That is so Richt and so Georgia. Too funny
Bob
December 3rd, 2012
8:45 pm
Georgia defense did the same to McCarron, only got a penalty, why should Dial be suspended. Both were bad hits and should not have happened. But Suspended “NO”
John
December 3rd, 2012
8:46 pm
Yeldon is not a pimple on Ogletree’s ASS!!!
Is the dawgs starting lineup still in the Athens jail?
December 3rd, 2012
8:47 pm
Hey John
Tech is in Atlanta, georgia is in athens
kingdaddy
December 3rd, 2012
8:47 pm
Smart 8:22
Show me anywhere where I called for a suppension to Dial? You post a lot of questionable post about anything Dawg related, but when you include me, get your facts straight. I like you Smart, but don’t try to put words in my mouth. There are enough Tech crybabies harping on everything the Dawgs do. Get a better team so you’ll have somethi g good to talk about for a change. Don’t you get tired of all your whineing about UGA? ( I ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT ONE…)
Coffee Bluff DAWG
December 3rd, 2012
8:47 pm
The punk, cheat shot artist for AL should be kicked out of the NC game. What a low class hit with a ref 5 yds away who unbelievably misses the call.
Hope this isn’t how Nick teaches FB at AL.
bamaguy
December 3rd, 2012
8:49 pm
Yeah, well he put Ogletree on his A$$
John
December 3rd, 2012
8:49 pm
Go Dawgs!!! Dawg til’ I die!!!
Suspension possible for Bama’s Quinton Dial as SEC reviews hit on Georgia QB Aaron Murray – Georgia – Dawg News
December 3rd, 2012
8:51 pm
[...] the article here: Suspension possible for Bama’s Quinton Dial as SEC reviews hit on Georgia QB Aaron Murray ← Back to Home Tags: back, basketball, feet, football, left, mcgarity, murray, play, [...]
GarnetMoonshine
December 3rd, 2012
8:51 pm
He needs to be suspended for the ENTIRE bcs nat champ game. None of this “he won’t start, but will be in next series nonsense”.
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 3rd, 2012
8:52 pm
Anybody watching the NFL game? They just showed all the Big hits on RGIII. Man he has been nailed in the NFL. No flags on the plays either.
KingDaddy….I was happy with the GT vs FSU game. Our D played very good the 2nd half. TW is the same player he has been. He good at the TO but not great. I just find it funny UGa fans call to fire Richt then love him. Call for suspensions but not when a UGa player does the same crap.
UGa fans think the dawgs are better than they are most of the time. I know what TECH is.
Forrest
December 3rd, 2012
8:53 pm
I guess old Quinton can sit with the leprechaun during the NC game. Enjoy Dude…..LMAO
John
December 3rd, 2012
8:54 pm
Yeah, thats funny. I know where Athens and Atlanta is… I actually should have directed that towards the UA and UF fans. Sorry nerdy ass Techies!!!!
FL Gator
December 3rd, 2012
8:55 pm
That hit to Murray was a major game changer. Anyone sneaker punched with the full force of a 300 lb idiot is rattled to their core and probably suffering a concussion. beyond murray having to play the rest of the game after the equivalent of being in a car accident, It’s a morale thing, it’s a field advantage thing! Would Bama have won? Maybe not. obviously when skill isnt enough they had to cheat. The team is a direct reflection of their coach so saban is not exempt in my eyes. shame on you saban. dont forget to teach your players how to lose gracefully between the lessons on taking out the opposing QB. The losers are bama in my mind. Finally, that official should be fired, what kind of low life human being looks the other way. Karma will bring 300 lbs of aggression over your behind one day and you still won’t get it! BTW I am not even a GA fan, even worse I have lost any respect I once had for BAMA. GO IRISH at least I am a developed enough intellectual to set aside territorial leg lifting to recognize the lack of fundamental human integrity in that hit. Sablan needs to apologize to Murray directly! You have kids Saban? Be careful what you condone.
bamaguy
December 3rd, 2012
8:55 pm
Breaking news: Georgia appeals to SEC because they had too many players that were on their period during game.
jeffkempb
December 3rd, 2012
8:58 pm
I like all these tough guy Georgia fans that run their mouths behind their computer screens with an alias! How is that hit a cheap shot, QB throws a pick and he is fair game! If any of you ever played football you would know that this is taught from highschool on up! You man enough to step on the field be man enough to take the ass whipping Alabama gave you! Alabama had a TD not called, and Ga was givin one on the fake tip pass! So dont cry GA fans cause your coach and your team are choke artist! They should stop their football careers and try deep throating instead, they seem to be better at that!
SECfan
December 3rd, 2012
8:58 pm
Alabama has discipline, Georgia does not. Penalties in 2012: Alabama – 50 penalties – 427 yards. Georgia – 89 penalties – 673 yards. Now who is the thug team that has coaches who cannot control their own players?
Rick James
December 3rd, 2012
8:58 pm
Oh no this cant be right because GT Bob who knows yet hates all things Georgia says there was nothing illegal about this hit..
CC
December 3rd, 2012
8:59 pm
Hopefully the SEC will suspend that punk for the dirty hit on Murray.
dawghater1
December 3rd, 2012
9:00 pm
are you kidding me, you bunch of idot redneck thug ugay nation, you are going to complain about getting your sissy butts kicked, what a bunch of losers, go beat up on ga southern and buffalo, and stay out of the ring with the real boys of the fall. roll tide roll, go gaters, kick em cocks, and to hell with ugay.
OkieDawg
December 3rd, 2012
9:00 pm
@bamaguy…you are a bammer. Are you older than 8?
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 3rd, 2012
9:03 pm
@Fl Gator
That is Great…………..I have LOST ALL RESPECT for this team or that team is crap and you know it.
Every year there is another team you play that will make you mad with their Smack Talk or Play. If you don’t respect the Game then watch soccer. IT is a VIOLENT GAME and players get AMPED-UP and make mistakes and bad choices. I’m sure you have now forgiven UGa for the Endzone Dance from a few years back. now UGa Fan have BAMA to Hate when it was VANDY to start the year and last year is was AUBURN.
You shouldn’t respect any college that has better than 25% of its STUDENT Athletes as SPECIAL ADMITS.
Forrest
December 3rd, 2012
9:03 pm
QUINTON – What did I do coach?
SABAN – Shut up Quinton
QUINTON – But what did I do wrong coach?
SABAN – Shut up Quinton
QUINTON – What’s a felon coach?
SABAN – kinda like a grayshirt Quintn
bamaguy
December 3rd, 2012
9:04 pm
I am not the one whining like I am 8?
FootballTopFan(c)
December 3rd, 2012
9:04 pm
Football Top Fan understands that league officials are trying to protect the quarterback !!!
To suspend a player who is trying to block a defender who is attempting to prevent and stop your teammate from scoring a touchdown is wrong.
Aaron Murray was a defensive player when he was hit. Football players are taught that your head should be like a “swivel” on interceptions.
Football is a violent game.
Pitbull
December 3rd, 2012
9:04 pm
Roll Crimson Turd
Forrest
December 3rd, 2012
9:05 pm
@dawghater1 – time for your meds dude
Athens
December 3rd, 2012
9:05 pm
Bama fans were very respectful and quiet coming out of the dome sat night. Very little yelling, RoIl Tide… I suspect they were mostly alums as they, like UGA alums, are classier than both teams “fans”.
Hunkerdown
December 3rd, 2012
9:05 pm
I think officiating is all part of the game and unfortunately for the Dawgs the calls did not go are way. Bama is a very good football team and we could not stop them on the ground. Give them credit. But I am still puzzled at the run just before half and Jarvis Jones got pushed from behind as he was coming in to make a tackle for loss on Aj was not called when he ran the ball way down the field just befroe half. Any time refs are noticed in a game is not a good thing for the game. But it is what it is.
Rick James
December 3rd, 2012
9:06 pm
@SECfan
Alabama has discipline, Georgia does not. Penalties in 2012: Alabama – 50 penalties – 427 yards. Georgia – 89 penalties – 673 yards. Now who is the thug team that has coaches who cannot control their own players?
——————————————————————————————————————————–
Obviously you didnt see the cheap shot Murry took from an Alabama player.So false starts,offsides,holding etc are all the results of thuggery? Did you see the Georgia players leg broken in the 2011 game with Tech due to an illegal chop block? You’re silly..
BigDawg
December 3rd, 2012
9:06 pm
Bama guy, Ogletree wants to know what time he can meet you to run your dumb ass over??? Bahahahahahaha Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bill
December 3rd, 2012
9:06 pm
Why not cann the ref that was standing their that saw it and never called it. GA Ath Dir never saw it he very stupid the TV showed it over and over, why not protect our team
Derek Brady
December 3rd, 2012
9:07 pm
To the fans that somehow think this play negates a win. Wrong. Dream on. And yes Bama should have won.
Problems: 1. Goal line fumble call was bs.
2. Tipped ball was bs.
3. Unsportsmanlike against Millners was bs. Ga player attempted to poke him in the eye. We drew the flag. Undeserved.
4. Mccaron received a helmet to helmet.
Maybe we should call the commissioner.
On the other hand the hit was tough and high. But can you see the interception? Was the player heading that way? Was the play still in progress? Why didn’t the coach ask for flag? McCarity didn’t see this in live play? Well they will have the whole film. Did he lead with his shoulder? Is he just taller? And is it just intentional? Saban you can bet your bottoms know the rules and remembers the play. We will see what happens.
This would also call for the suspension of Ogletree. And lastly to any that say Bama is dirty, well Ogletree is just as bad and one hit does rule a whole team and year dirty. Sorry. Let the sec do their job and folks try to be good sports. It does go both ways.