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
Danny Ford
December 3rd, 2012
11:06 pm
Coach Spurrier says “suck it up Georgia you got beat & I thought the ref’s called a great game!”
ouch
December 3rd, 2012
11:07 pm
@hypocritedawgs
“aladawg At least the Bammers don’t run around eating vomit…”
Too busy f*cking the sisters and daddy. You gd punk.
hypocritedawgs
December 3rd, 2012
11:07 pm
You dawg fans are so freaking dependable. It’s always somebody else”s fault, It’s never your players,. This week Mark Richt is a God and last week he needed tarred and feathered the week before that he need drug down the road and the week before that he was the second coming of God. You idiots are so laughable it’s hardly funny anymore.
What a bunch of low life sissies.
Go talk about bama all you want but this article here shows just how stinking childish and immature you are.
It's Time to Part ways with Mark Richt
December 3rd, 2012
11:08 pm
Ouch, Everybody needs to take a step back and take a look.
How could it possibly ever set up any eassier than this?
ouch
December 3rd, 2012
11:09 pm
@hypocritedawgs
Regardless of how UGA fans feel, nothing changes the fact you are a GD dumb a$$ fool.
hypocritedawgs
December 3rd, 2012
11:09 pm
“Ouch” You mean your sisters and your daddy? Oh dude way to talk about your family, again so childish and immature.
kingdaddy
December 3rd, 2012
11:09 pm
You nerds don’t deserve an opinion in SEC football. This sissy UGA team whipped your butts up and down the field, lol. If we’re sissies, what the heck does that make you pitiful excuses of a football team???
ouch
December 3rd, 2012
11:10 pm
@It’s Time to Part ways with Mark Richt
Then leave you stupid SOB. Take a look at other programs who change coaches while winning 10 games a year. Fortunately idiots like you are not in charge.
The Bear
December 3rd, 2012
11:11 pm
Crybabies! If I was Richt I would leave in heartbeat! Dumass fans!
hypocritedawgs
December 3rd, 2012
11:11 pm
“Ouch” Fools?????????????
Dude look at your administration !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tattle tell Tattle tell I’m gonna call the commissioner on you
Boo Hoo Boo Hoo
We got cheated
Whine Whine Whine
uga_b
December 3rd, 2012
11:11 pm
I didn’t know it was the players’ job to keep their head on a swivel when it comes to clipping. Maybe they should allow blocks in the back. The game was played on the field and this was just one call that was missed. Be glad Dial doesn’t have to answer to Goodell; although I am sure Dial could afford an NFL-level fine
.
ouch
December 3rd, 2012
11:11 pm
@hypocritedawgs
You inbred monkey, just STFU.
The Bear
December 3rd, 2012
11:13 pm
@kingdaddy keep’em straight!
hypocritedawgs
December 3rd, 2012
11:14 pm
I’m going to bed, I just watched the rerun and Georgia still lost, Georgia still had just as many cheap hits as Alabama but guess what?
Their Athletic Director isn’t on the phone whining like a beat down pup.
Tattle Tell Crybabies
Tattle Tell Crybabies
Go Boo Hoo yourselves to sleep you sissies.
It's Time to Part ways with Mark Richt
December 3rd, 2012
11:16 pm
Ouch,
Like I said. Take a look at how our schedule set up this year.
10 built in wins.
Then lose 2 out of 3 in games that matter.
It’s time!
ouch
December 3rd, 2012
11:16 pm
@hypocritedawgs
You are nothing more than a inbred, mouth breathing clown.
Murray would curb stomp your punk butt. I would pay to watch it.
hypocritedawgs
December 3rd, 2012
11:16 pm
“ouch”
Every time you type you just prove how right I am.
Whiner
Sissy
Crybaby
Tattle Tell
Cheap shot artist extraordinaire
And then you come on here being low class with your trash mouth, You get that education at UGA?
uga76
December 3rd, 2012
11:16 pm
some of the Alabama fans are really starting to scare me. On one site I looked at tonight the writers were prefacing their remarks with various Saban quotes as if they were quoting the Bible or some historical great thinker. You folks need to really get a life – he is not God – he is just a football coach and that is all. When he comes up with a cure for cancer get back to us.
a comment on a Youtube video of the cheap shot on Murray is probably an all time great moronic statement and I quote “Murray saw Dial coming just before impact and head butted him, and that is why it was helmet to helmet contact”
Come on folks. I knew Alabama fans were not right – why would 90,000 plus show up for a spring scrimmage, but your reactions to criticism of this blatant cheap shot are just beyond insane. No one is saying the refs cost Georgia the game, but that was a blatant cheap shot with one and only one purpose – knock a key player out of the game! Ogletree’s hit on McCarron was a bang/bang football play and he did not lead with the crown of this helmet so just stop trying to convince yourselves that they were equivalent.
And for the record, after watching the video clip of the incident, I wrote to Mark Richt and Greg McGarity tonight and encouraged them to suspend Sheldon Dawson for the bowl game for attempting to poke Dee Milliner in the eye. No excuse for that kind of behavior – period.
hypocritedawgs
December 3rd, 2012
11:18 pm
Murray can’t win a big game, how’s he gonna whip anybody?
He’s a born loser dude, your record proves it.
ouch
December 3rd, 2012
11:18 pm
@It’s Time to Part ways with Mark Richt
Then just leave. No one will miss you. Fortunately, fools like you are not in charge.
14 Titles
December 3rd, 2012
11:18 pm
The hit was part of the play—a QB on the field can be hit. Georgia got every big call in the game. Why didn’t the refs review throw on the interference call—not tipped at all.
kingdaddy
December 3rd, 2012
11:19 pm
The Bear
you aren’t asking much are you, lol…at least 40% of the posters on here aren’t UGA/BAMA FANS, just saying. I should have left when I wanted to the first time….
ouch
December 3rd, 2012
11:19 pm
@hypocritedawgs
You damn fool. Anyone who calls a QB who wins 10 games at any level is a damn fool. But that is why you are a damn fool. Boy.
Shorty
December 3rd, 2012
11:20 pm
Murray’s pass was tipped because he’s too short to play QB—Ga needs to start mason next year.
ouch
December 3rd, 2012
11:21 pm
@
@14 Titles
“The hit was part of the play—a QB on the field can be hit. Georgia got every big call in the game.”
The words of a complete fool.
AL has titles and is the 2nd poorest state in the nation. Maybe you inbred fools should refocus your efforts.
Danny Ford
December 3rd, 2012
11:22 pm
The Georgia program will never reach the level coach Dooley took it to. It takes an Auburn man to get it done. Watch who Auburn will soon name their head coach.
.222
December 3rd, 2012
11:23 pm
If Saban doesn’t suspend Dials, the guy might walk with a limp.
OKNOW
December 3rd, 2012
11:23 pm
What a wuss – it’s called football – and Murray was still in the hunt to make a play. Go cry me a river – I saw UGA get away with a lot of that crap the whole season – and rarely got called.
uga76
December 3rd, 2012
11:26 pm
@hypocrite dawgs
I rest my case about “some” Alabama fans. you prove my point!
Ref
December 3rd, 2012
11:26 pm
So after a QB throws the ball and the receiver is running, why don’t DLineman knock the QB down every play.
You clowns are a joke.
whatfor
December 3rd, 2012
11:31 pm
Murray and CMR STILL can’t win the Big ones. The only real opponents they faced this year – SC, FL, and AL – UGA is 1-2 against,. The rest of their panzi schedule was pathetic for a team who thinks they belong at the top. WHO DOES CMR THINK HE IS KIDDING???? Those UGA fans (bubbas) who never went to college I guess. CMR choked. Talk about the “mighty” SEC – which I am a fan of?? 5 of the SEC teams UGA played had COMBINED SEC records of something like 6-36. And then UGA played a very well, high-flying, non-conference schedule – Buffalo, Florida-Atlantic, GA Southern, and DON’T even get me started on TECH. VERY pathetic season – and a lot of Dawg fans will buy into CMR’s BS.
GT1969
December 3rd, 2012
11:31 pm
The NFL would have fined him at least $50K. However, Murray should have learned by now that if you aren’t involved in catching the guy who intercepted you, GET DOWN. Ask your team’s DC who the primary target is in an interception return.
uga76
December 3rd, 2012
11:32 pm
@14 titles and OKNOW
you two and @hypocrite dawgs just keep talking and proving my point. Murray was practically walking. Why can’t you people accept that it was a cheap shot.
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
11:34 pm
KingDaddy………..look up how many Flags have been thrown on TECH of illegal chop blocks.
The NFL uses Cut Blocks too. It is a legal play and a good play. You know it and I know it.
ref
December 3rd, 2012
11:37 pm
@ Ask your team’s DC who the primary target is in an interception return.
Horseshi+. Any player hit helmet to helmet like that 20 yards from the ball and it is a personal foul.
It's Time to Part ways with Mark Richt
December 3rd, 2012
11:38 pm
Whatfor,
Way too many buy in. But it’s the ol crap every year.
We won’t get the really easy set up again next year or for the forseeable future.
And we all know that CMR could never win 3 or 4 big games in one single season.
Thats why it’s time
Hondo
December 3rd, 2012
11:38 pm
Enter your comments here
ref
December 3rd, 2012
11:39 pm
@whatfor
You ignorant, mouth breathing, drunken clown. I encounter GD fools like you every day and pi$$ on them.
ouch
December 3rd, 2012
11:41 pm
@It’s Time to Part ways with Mark Richt
Then get the fu*k away from the program and stay away. We know you don’t contribute a damn dime to the program, so just STFU and go away. Tired of the same BS from fools like you who show the judgement of kids in kindergarden.
Again, just STFU.
Timothy Branna
December 3rd, 2012
11:42 pm
For all of you Georgia fans that are good sports and SEC fans, this is not intended for you. For the male fans that are whining, calling Bama fans names and crying foul, you are bunch of “candy asses”. I lived in Georgia for 3.5 years. I listened to your crap for these 3.5 years. You could dish it out, but you couldn’t ever take it. I’m a pretty big dude so when I did call you on your crap, you usually ran to the bathroom to insert your emergency tampon into your large male vagina. When your team was brutalizing GT players, I guess that was OK. Slow motion the hit on Murray, it’s not that bad. What makes it bad is that Gary Danielson & Verne Lundquist were crying about it like two love sick teenage girls whose prom dates had just “stood them up”. These two CBS dumb @$$es are queens in the village of idiots. Yes, I said queens. All of their commentation skills combined equals one bad Howard Cosell. Their knowledge of football sucks at best. They should take the time to read a rule book if they want to comment on this play any further.
Maroon Splash
December 3rd, 2012
11:45 pm
Quinton Dial gonna miss the big game!
aladawg
December 3rd, 2012
11:47 pm
Hey Hypocrite Dawgs, you are just another irrelevant scumbag idiot from alabama. Being that I live in this sh– hole state of alabama (Job) I can attest (get on spell check to see what that word means) that this sh– hole state is full of irrelevant moronic sh– eating scumbags so a– hole you don’t count because you don’t have the ability to think.
It's Time to Part ways with Mark Richt
December 3rd, 2012
11:49 pm
Ouch,
I’ve had season tix for 25 years.
I’m just tired of the same old medicity… that looks good while winning 9-10 games a year that anybody could win
South Daytona Dawg
December 3rd, 2012
11:50 pm
It was a cheap and illegal hit on Murray. Congrats on winning the game. Now shut up and take your inbred Alabama behinds on down to Miami and spank those Catholic abuse victims. Both teams will probably enjoy the physical contact with other men.
Dawg Whisperer
December 3rd, 2012
11:52 pm
I can’t count the number of ignorant comments from Bummer fans (so what else is new?) concerning the illegal hit on Murray. Since when was a helmet to helmet shot considered legal? OK, back in 1902 when 10 players were killed. Stupid Bummer comments are out of control on this blog.
Alabama - The Greatest Of All Time
December 4th, 2012
12:00 am
Georgia – You didn’t really think you were going to win the football game did you ? After all, Alabama is the greatest college football program of all time and you are just GEORGIA ! ROLL TIDE ROLL !
It's Time to Part ways with Mark Richt
December 4th, 2012
12:02 am
Dawg fans,
Recognize the difference, even on here.
We win 9-10 games a year against mediocer and bad teams.
They win titles.
It’s Time!
7576DAWG
December 4th, 2012
12:04 am
On the replay you could see the official was looking right at it. Unless the official was blind he couldn’t have missed it. He just chose to ignore it. Total BS, I am sure glad Murray was not hurt
MIKE QUINN
December 4th, 2012
12:06 am
THE DOG FANS THINKS ITS AGAINST THE RULES FOR SOMEBODY TO BLOCK THEIR TEAM TOO HARD. IF YA CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN YOU BUNCH OF WIMPS. YOU GOT BEAT AND CAN’T STAND IT. WELL GET OVER IT AND STOP YOUR CRYING.
Georgia
December 4th, 2012
12:07 am
.
For you Dawg fans trying your best to try and insult the State of Alabama, look at your own state. You get outside of Metro Atlanta and the rest of your state makes the state of Mississippi look cosmopolitan. Every Dawg fan looks like Gilmer County ! Your football team has talent, but your play calling is stupid ! Get luck in the Capital One Bowl ! ROLL TIDE !
.