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
just me
December 4th, 2012
8:49 am
How about a nice pink skirt for little Aaron when she plays?
Lt Col Razorback
December 4th, 2012
8:52 am
BigDawg,
Bad refereeing that allowed Alabama to successfully run the ball, and ultimately win the game, is not the issue here. The issue here is the bad refereeing of the entire football game that allowed the incident to happen and for the perpetrator to go unpenalized for committing a dangerous act.
Timbo
December 4th, 2012
8:52 am
Bama fan here. The hit was illegal and unnecessary, as was Ogletree’s which was correctly called. The bigger issue to me is the fact that we have these huge games officiated by men who are way past there prime and who often times are not able to get in the correct position to make the correct calls. There was too much inconsistency for and against both teams.
Sounds like Kindergarten
December 4th, 2012
8:54 am
I’m out of here. I fear the dumbness and arrogance may be contagious
Rational 1
December 4th, 2012
8:55 am
Really is sour grapes. UGA had players for several years that took similar shots. If UGA wins the game, they aren’t bothered with this.
From the time you start playing football, you are taught that if your defense intercepts the ball, you maylay everyone on the opposing offense (now defense). This is a tactic that nearly every single team is taught–including UGA. So, when the shoe drops against you, you accept it and move on, knowing you have done the same against others (i.e. it is part of the game).
The hit was not flagged, either. The refs immediately responsible for calling fouls did not view it as a foul.
Truth of the matter is that Murray had to know the hit was coming. MANY opposing QBs simply get out of the way when they throw an interception, because they know this hits will happen if they attempt to make a play on the intercepter. It is the game of football and players KNOW this. All the keyboard jockeys are making more of this than it is.
If UGA wins, no one is even giving this thought. Since UGA lost, UGA fans have sour grapes and want to make sure they can still get a kick in from their beaten tails this wkend.
DawginLex
December 4th, 2012
8:58 am
uga=dumb
You need to go to the doctor and see if you can get him/her to find you a fully functioning brain because currently you don’t have one.
Shutup Bart
Quit it with the Bama fans never say anything about us crapola. It makes you look reqally stupid. You won the game. Have some class and quit crowing about it. You would crap your pants if you tried to say that to me in person so just shutup
DawginLex
December 4th, 2012
9:00 am
Rational 1
December 4th, 2012
8:55 am
Really is sour grapes. UGA had players for several years that took similar shots. If UGA wins the game, they aren’t bothered with this.
From the time you start playing football, you are taught that if your defense intercepts the ball, you maylay everyone on the opposing offense (now defense). This is a tactic that nearly every single team is taught–including UGA. So, when the shoe drops against you, you accept it and move on, knowing you have done the same against others (i.e. it is part of the game).
The hit was not flagged, either. The refs immediately responsible for calling fouls did not view it as a foul.
*******************
Steve Shaw, the SEC Director of Officials said the refs missed the call. Helmet to helmet is not legal.
As I said yesterday, if it was AJ getting hit and it resulted in him getting a concussion and missing the BCS title game, you would be crying like a little girl
L J
December 4th, 2012
9:00 am
Alabama plays a bit too aggressive. Football is a physical sport; however the dirty plays and late hits are far too common now. In October, an Alabama DL dumped Missouri RB, Russell Hansbrough on his head. He was not taken out of the game by the officials, nor Nick Saban. It seems to be a “By any means necessary” approach.
Auburn Grad
December 4th, 2012
9:03 am
Darwin Holt’s hit on Chick Ggraning
kathy
December 4th, 2012
9:03 am
Steve Shaw, the SEC’s coordinator of officials, has already reviewed the play and determined that Saturday’s referees “missed the call.” The league was already looking into it before Georga asked for the review. So you Bama fans need to quit trashing the decision. You won a great ball game and deserved to win but cheap shots need to be dealt with no matter which side your are on.
Michael
December 4th, 2012
9:04 am
Come on, a cheap shot is a cheap shot! Don’t try to defend the indefensible. It was an illegal and cheap hit targeted to the quaterback on purpose,period.
wardenerd
December 4th, 2012
9:04 am
I am an Alabama fan and I hate Georgia but Georgia played a great game and could easily have won. Both teams did several unsportsmanlike things throughout the game. The hit on Murray was inexcusable as was the eye poke by Georgia. The other thing I noticed was all the jawing the Georgia players were doing after the tackle. One time a Georgia player got down on his hands and knees after a play to taunt a running back who was trapped under a pile of players. I do not watch much football anymore because of all the crap that goes on that has nothing to do with football. The game is not fun to watch anymore.
dawgfan
December 4th, 2012
9:05 am
It was a low point in an otherwise respectable effort by the Crimson Tide. I too am concerned about the sissification of the game of football but there is just no way to defend that hit. It was a blatant and dirty attempt to knock Murray out of the game (and arguably an acknowledgment that Murray was kicking their lilly little azzes, which other than that interception he was). He should be suspended for the BCS game and two or 3 games to start next year, assuming he’s coming back.
J gator
December 4th, 2012
9:06 am
OK is it April 1. This is all a joke right? Come on the game is over. DAWGS LOST.
By the way UGA you should try and tackle low some time it may not be as cool, but you get better results.
Bart
December 4th, 2012
9:06 am
DawginLex, you just demonstrated your ignorance and inability to read. Where in my comment did you read Alabama never said anything about Georgia. Where is there a lack of class.
Your statement regarding the need for me to go to the doctor demonstrates lack of class. I understand you are disappointed Georgia lost. Believe me we were disappointed when we lost to Texas A&M.
By the way, I played football for 8 years and wrestled for 4, so I am sure you could make me crap in my pants.
Go SEC!!
Auburn Grad
December 4th, 2012
9:07 am
Most bama fans have the same intellect as that fool that poisoned the oaks at Toomer’s Corner.
I’m surprised they haven’t poisoned Russ.
dawgfan
December 4th, 2012
9:12 am
“By the way UGA you should try and tackle low some time it may not be as cool, but you get better results.”
17-9 was a good result. Have they given you your trophy for finishing 2nd in the East yet?
CNS
December 4th, 2012
9:16 am
Enter your comments hereAlabama fans are like the “Bama Teabagger”, he is one of them. He was just sentenced to 2 years in prison, 33 years old. Tree poisoners, teabaggers, why is this stuff not going on anywhere else in the SEC?
Bama4Ever
December 4th, 2012
9:16 am
Wayne …. guess what, you win the MORON of the blog award. To compare a tragedy of the magnitude of such a disaster in April 2010 to a football game just shows where your heart is. You sound like you have deep seeded hatred problems period. Aaron Murray did not die. Both sides of this blog are cheap shotting over the ballgame, especially the BAMA fans are having the most fun because of the win. And you need to just go somewhere and sit down. and cry in your black jersey. That goes for all you sore headed GA losers. All the redneck jokes you guys are making about BAMA is most funny, especially all of you barefooted, hill running, hillbillies from Athens, GA. I guess you Jed Clampett hill people forget where you all came from. Oh, that is such a prestigious southern town with all the Bars and Booze. I’m guessing the whole tame just cried in a Beer after they humped back to Athens with that Whipped A__.
364 yards rushing.....
December 4th, 2012
9:17 am
SORE LOSERS!!!
Does it still sting dawwg fans?
I hope so, you trash talking bums deserve it.
KARMA.
Rip Van Winkle
December 4th, 2012
9:18 am
No dawgfan, no trophy for 2nd in the East. Just a Sugar Bowl trophy to compare with the Capital One trophy. 350 yards rushing? Really? Tackle the player next time instead of trying to steal the ball like a little N boy.
Auburn Grad
December 4th, 2012
9:18 am
Murray was fair game to be blocked, but a hit to the head was totally unnecessary.
The Bama player needs to be suspended, but it won’t happen for the MNC game, maybe next year against podunk U.
Dawginlex
December 4th, 2012
9:18 am
I eat poo
Jail Warden Richt
December 4th, 2012
9:19 am
Guess I should of shut up all of the trash talking.
Entertainment Tonight
December 4th, 2012
9:21 am
Whining UGA fans are entertaining.
Pug
December 4th, 2012
9:24 am
You have to be blind AND stupid to not realize that the thug hit Murray deliberately and when he was walking toward the sidelines.
RTR
December 4th, 2012
9:29 am
It would be an absolute travesty for Dial to miss the BCS Championship as a senior. He doesn’t have a past history of being a malicious player. SEC offices need to think long and hard about this one.
Bama4Ever
December 4th, 2012
9:31 am
Okay BAMA fans. Let’s just all stand in agreement that the hit on Murray was flagrant and bad. And I’m being serious here. Yeah, I have been spewing at the UGA whiners just to make them mad because of their loss and it is most entertaining. But to the SEC, sit out Dial so all these whiners can have some kind of satisfaction and maybe Dial himself will learn a valuable lesson not to rip someone’s head off. But again I just want to remind all you GA fans. Regardless of this hit. you went home with a whipped A__.
wild one 13
December 4th, 2012
9:32 am
The Tide is on another roll. Just think, this was supposed to be our rebuilding year.
Motocross Survivor
December 4th, 2012
9:40 am
Bammy plowboy bungholes still idolize Bearcrap Bryant, who had a long history of teaching players to play dirty–anything to WIN. Football is all they have in life.
Shanrock
December 4th, 2012
9:43 am
Ogletree hit on AJ was a BS call the Helmets never touch. And how do you rush 350 yards without a single holding call. SECBAMA refs
Samford grad
December 4th, 2012
9:44 am
364 yards via holding! When was last time bama got a flag for holding! No wonder they rush so well! Bama lucky to win, or, bama cheated to win
dawgfan75
December 4th, 2012
9:44 am
Official should be reprimanded and have his bank account audited after that no-call. Like all of the best players Dial was doing everything he could to win the game. He go away with a cheap shot during the game the same way some of the UGA players did. Please do not suspend him for the NC as I want to see Bama crush ND. They will need all their weopons to do it. If anyone gets suspended it should be the ref(for several games). Dial was doing his job, but the ref wasn’t.
dawg1948
December 4th, 2012
9:46 am
I was born and raised on Bama football. Both my parents and two of my three siblings were born in Alabama. I graduated form UGA and love both teams. The overall game was great, too bad there can’t be two winners. However, it is truly sad that a cheap shot such as Dial’s is not penalized and overshadows the game. I have never pulled against Alabama except for when they play UGA, that will change with the BCS Championship game. For the first time in my life I will pull for ND a team I have no love for because Dial has turned me against Alabam for now. Dial should have been ejected for the dirty hit and since he wasn’t it is only right that he sit the bench for the ND game. As for Ogletree’s hit, it was a judgement call I can except it either way. My opinion is Ogletree was in the air and could not stop his momentum, however it was a helmet to helmet hit, and as a judgement call I have no problem with it. As for Dial he went after AM after the play was over basically and Murray was no factor in the play he was walking to the sideline. Hell, Dial should have been happy if that play probably cost UGA the game if Muarray had led his receiver properly on the play Alabama would have been dwon 14-7 at the half and probably would have lost the game. Though it pains me to say all I can say at this point is Roll Notre Damn.
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 4th, 2012
9:49 am
In 2010 UGA had 22 personal fouls
In 2011 UGA had 25 personal fouls and 2 players suspended cause of the Vandy game
UGa has more Personal Foul Penalties than most teams in the SEC so stop crying about 1 missed call. I NEVER hear for UGa fans Screaming for UGa players to be Suspended when they make Dirty Plays.
JD in Marietta
December 4th, 2012
9:50 am
Thats the funniest damn thing I’ve heard all year Crimson 1….Dial is not a dirty player…This was the cheapest shot I’ve ever seen. Reminds of that thug Fairley from LSU, or the biggest cheap shot artist of them all, that slob up in Detroit, Tsu, or whatever the hell his name is. Dial should have been kicked out of this game and suspended for the rest of the season,end of discussion. What a POS!
love aaron murray
December 4th, 2012
9:51 am
i dont know anyting about football i just love aaronmmurray
Bama’s Dial “Getting A lot Of Heat” Over Hit On UGA’s Murray, But Will He Get A Suspension?
December 4th, 2012
9:53 am
[...] AD Greg McGarity said he also missed the play during live action and that he was “stunned” when he viewed the hit on the internet. “It is definitely a play we will submit for review, but I’m sure that’s already [...]
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 4th, 2012
9:53 am
Pug
December 4th, 2012
9:24 am
You have to be blind AND stupid to not realize that the thug hit Murray deliberately and when he was walking toward the sidelines.
========================================
You are BLIND & DUMB. What Sideline was MURRAY Walking to?
We was moving towards the Bama sideline and the player that made the interception. Murray was looking to make a tackle if needed.
The Hit was a Personal Foul but stop acting like Murray was not involved in the play.
Samford grad
December 4th, 2012
9:55 am
Sec should suspend officiating crew and bama win until the lack of holding calls is looked into. Bama doesnt win bama cheats! The bear would be proud but the sec office should be embarrassed. Steve shaw, an alabama alum, should do something. This was corrupt. If bama fans cant see this they are lying to themselves
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 4th, 2012
9:56 am
JD in Marietta…………….why haven’t you mentioned a single UGa player?
BEN JONES
All you dwags keep leaving out the UGa Dirty Player………….BEN JONES.
Trey
December 4th, 2012
10:01 am
From earlier, Sheldon Dawson eye gouging of Dee Milner
http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/12/3/3724086/if-quinton-dial-gets-suspended-then-sheldon-dawson-should-be-too
wild one 13
December 4th, 2012
10:04 am
Bottom line, the Dawgs had a chance to win the big game but, they did what they alway’s do. They laid down. Then their fan base blame everything from the refs to the team mascot as to why they did not win.
OLD DOG
December 4th, 2012
10:05 am
When you live in a state with the most trailers per sq. mile in the USA and all you have is a football team you tend to be dumb. You can take the red neck out of the trailer but you can’t take the red neckout of the redneck. Bama fans have never had any class and never will. They can’t spell it because it has more than three letters.
RTR15
December 4th, 2012
10:08 am
After game dog responses
It was a moral victory!
Alabama hit too hard—that’s not fair!
Alabama must have cheated!
We’re going to the capital one bowl!
trueblueeagle
December 4th, 2012
10:13 am
UGA thugs get beat up at their on game and all the fans want to do whine,whine, whine, get over it. You lost to 2 out of 3 to top team and played sub 500 teams. UGA is way over rated!
Bo Duke
December 4th, 2012
10:15 am
Man was doing his job. Qb needs to get out of the way are get run over!!!!!!!! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!
CNS
December 4th, 2012
10:18 am
Alabama’s 2009 “Championship season” holding calls:
Florida – No holding
Auburn – No holding
TN-Chattanooga – holding on KO
MSU – No holding
LSU – No holding
TN – No holding
SC – 2 holding, both on KO
Ole Miss – 1 holding, KO
8 football games, 4 holding calls only on Kickoffs. Fact.
Nothing has changed much in the past 4 seasons. It’s not surprising at all, that the refs didn’t call the helmet to helmet cheap shot.
AlabaMarine
December 4th, 2012
10:18 am
What makes him a defenselees player? Because he’s a QB? If it was any other player on the field this wouldn’t even be talked about other than to say it was a crushing hit. My option is Murry should have stayed away from the play if he wants to be a QB and not a football player.
As far as the hit on AJ, I thought it was a good crushing football hit. If you don’t want to get hit don’t play Football.
beachdog
December 4th, 2012
10:23 am
Twenty bucks says they don’t suspend him for ND game.
Bama fans-the league was looking into the play before Georgia officials said anything.
Timmy B at halftime said the same thing.
The paucity of holding calls against Bama is strange and but not unusual.