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
Truth
December 3rd, 2012
4:34 pm
Here we go again. The team that is penalized the most in the SEC is complaining.
CHDawg
December 3rd, 2012
4:35 pm
Joking, led with his shoulder? Yes, that is a joke.
Tom
December 3rd, 2012
4:35 pm
For all of you Bama fans trying to defend Dial, there is no reason to argue. It was clearly an uncalled for, helmet-to-helmet hit on a defenseless player. That is all this article talks about. I see no where in the article where the reporter states that the hit in question was the reason that Bama won the game. Nothing but the unsportsmanlike conduct hit is in question. Write your own propaganda article.
Artie
December 3rd, 2012
4:35 pm
So the UGA AD was too busy to watch the game live?!?!
ga gator
December 3rd, 2012
4:36 pm
ARdawg, it was not borderline; it was stupid on Ogletree. He hit him in the chin. Bullsnip I did not miss it, I never said it wasn’t called. For your information, I was for UGA, but I get sick of all of the fans who NEVER see fouls on their team but CONTINUALLY complain about the refs and UGA.
Damon "red" Evans
December 3rd, 2012
4:36 pm
Why are everyone’s panties in a wad?
ARdawg
December 3rd, 2012
4:37 pm
Bama played football Sat night and beat us fair and square. Yes there were no calls and missed calls on both sides. But, some of you jacklegs attempting to defend the cheap shot on Murray is the lowest of low. That crap has no place in football. Dial could have pegged and flatten him without the head shot and it would be a non-issue now
STFU
December 3rd, 2012
4:37 pm
and what about all the illegal hits your bulldogs performed against Ga Tech…McGarity answer that one, big ears
King Here-Chuck Oliver
December 3rd, 2012
4:37 pm
CHUCK,
There is only one CHUCK here and that is me. The King of sports talk radio here in Atlanta Chuck Oliver.
Tucker
December 3rd, 2012
4:37 pm
Perhaps the Orlando Police Department can investigate the matter since that is where UGA always spends the postseason holidays.
MJ
December 3rd, 2012
4:39 pm
Hey Bamahammer, why don’t you go get hammered somewhere unpleasant.
The Real Crybabies?
December 3rd, 2012
4:39 pm
The Bama guys trying to justify Dial’s penalty are crybabies. Take your punishment like men. The Ref was standing right there and just overlooked the Tide penalty, so it wouldn’t harm your comeback. So you not only want the ref to look the other way over your penalties, and then when you are caught, you cry like little girls.
Truth
December 3rd, 2012
4:39 pm
Good one Tucker!
jbow
December 3rd, 2012
4:39 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze9FrbEBp9k
HYPOCRITEDAWGS
December 3rd, 2012
4:41 pm
Big sale on whining crybaby towels at the Epps Bridge Walmart. Go get em dawg fans
ARdawg
December 3rd, 2012
4:41 pm
Tucker
Enjoy yourself in Juarez
AdMan
December 3rd, 2012
4:42 pm
I love all the Bama boys trying to justify the hit to make themselves feel better…. Just can’t stand the truth can you trailer trash….it was an illegal hit regardless of what you say…period!.. plain and simple. Did it change the outcome of the …no ….but rest assured if a Georgia player would have done the same thing everyone from the state of Alabama including Paul Finebaum would be bitching….Grow up Bama fans …admit that it was a dirty play…completely uncalled for! period….Man up quit acting like spoiled litte boys….you won the game…isn’t that enough ? ….for most people with class it would be!
Dawgs
December 3rd, 2012
4:42 pm
By the way, even if the tipped ball (which was tipped, ever so slightly, there was a visible change in movement of the ball) call was not a good call:
1. The Bama play was not within reach.
2. If it would have been a good throw, then the tackle would have occurred after the ball was caught, because it had passed the receiver before contact was made.
GATA
December 3rd, 2012
4:44 pm
BAMA FANS – It is a crying shame (no offense AJ) that you don’t get a rematch with Northern Illinois! What a perfect chance to avenge your loss to them in Tuscaloosa.
Truth
December 3rd, 2012
4:44 pm
All I can say is there is always next year. Then the next year and then the next year.
HYPOCRITEDAWGS
December 3rd, 2012
4:44 pm
Linguists have discovered go dawgs really means We’re really big crybabies”
Good Lord dawgs fans you have become an absolute embarrassment to the SEC
You crybabies realize what this is going to look like to other schools outside our conference????
Get a grip you look childish.
chuck
December 3rd, 2012
4:44 pm
Alabama always comes out smelling like a rose. No penalties, maybe one. Are you kidding me?SEC wants Alabama to win, so the officiating stinks. Georgia should have downed the ball at the end.
Damon "red" Evans
December 3rd, 2012
4:45 pm
How many people here believe that if Murray had spiked the ball and then hit a TD pass that all these mutts would be crying today about the hit?
The Real Crybabies?
December 3rd, 2012
4:47 pm
Hypocrite, you are the one crying on a Georgia blog because your player was caught red handed! The impartial review’s verdict was guilty. You are hear whining and crying. Hypocrite is an appropriate name for you.
kenny
December 3rd, 2012
4:47 pm
quit whining… the qb should have been looking…what a bunch of crybaby losers….
Truth
December 3rd, 2012
4:47 pm
1980 anyone???? Long time……………………………………….. Gonna be even longer.
sowhatnow?
December 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
in all seriousness someone who KNOWS post the definition of a defenseless player and apply it to this play
SECfan
December 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
This is ridiculous. As an SEC fan I have seen more cheap shots delivered by UGA players, particularly the secondary, over the last 3-4 years than all the other teams combined. Georgia has a bunch of thug players and the biased CBS announcers like that Georgia Homer, Tony Barnhart and that Corn Dog, Tim Brando will never change that fact.
MJG
December 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
I have watched many college football games this season and specifically watched for helmet to helmet contact that has NOT been called by college officials. I wrote a note to the AJC a couple of weeks ago, that for the most part maybe it was because the college players brain is not as important than that of a pro players or they do not have a Union to protect them as has been done in Pro Football. The head-to-head hit on the Georgia player was blatant , right under officials nose, but not called just like so many others. I do not think the Alabama players was dirty, he just did what he and others have been allowed to do all this year. It neds to be addressed by the College Presidents with the College Officials Associations.
The Real Crybabies?
December 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
We hear you here whining an crying, that is.
pikedawg
December 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
A fan base with Harvy Updyke and the tea-bagger calling another fanbase classless??…really? that’s rich
Dawgs
December 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
STFU, (real classy name by the way), the “body slams” against Georgia Tech were not illegal. You see, in football, you are supposed to tackle the person WITH the ball.
HYPOCRITEDAWGS
December 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
UGA
Unworthy Goofy Adolecents
HYPOCRITEDAWGS
December 3rd, 2012
4:49 pm
UGA
Unworthy Goofy Adolescents
drsoul
December 3rd, 2012
4:49 pm
Everyone should read ‘personal foul’s’ entry….hit it on the head… if Dial is suspended, we will then see if UGA AD follows up, by his own actions toward BAMA, of suspending his two players who have questionable actions…flags or not, it seems to be universally known what the issues are.. but, I am betting that UGA does not have the integrity or credibility to do so… not defending any of those actions.. also, if BAMA was ‘handed the game’ so transparently by biased officiating, why is UGA AD not lodging a complaint against that???? Some of you need to read up on the rules and also need to study the parameters of ‘blocking’….and, study your own team as objectively as the opponent…!!!
Braddawg
December 3rd, 2012
4:49 pm
The hit was a flagrant foul on Dial’s part, and it should have been flagged as such by the official at the time, but it wasn’t. Who knows if the call would have changed the result of the game. I doubt it. There is no benefit to Georgia if Dial gets suspended. I think it’s too late for the SEC to do anything about it now. Let’s just move on and Beat the CornHuskers. I also hope Bama can keep the streak going. GO BAMA, GO DAWGS, GO SEC
dawgfan
December 3rd, 2012
4:49 pm
should be. and ref should be fined heavily for missing it….especially since he was right there in front of it.
Damon "red" Evans
December 3rd, 2012
4:50 pm
At least UGA will be MUCH more talented next year. Oh wait. . .
The Real Crybabies?
December 3rd, 2012
4:50 pm
SECfan, you are a crybaby making baseless accusations. Just accept the penalty like a man and quit crying.
tiredofbama
December 3rd, 2012
4:51 pm
A.J Mccryin flopped down and jumped up cryin like a little school girl anytime a ga player got close to him!! If the same hit had happened to Mccryin the bama fan’s would be calling for a criminal investigation!
HYPOCRITEDAWGS
December 3rd, 2012
4:51 pm
Cheese is also on sale at Walmart to go with that whine
Truth??
December 3rd, 2012
4:51 pm
Who asked which team has had the most recent national championship? Where in this article does it mention that?
Columbia SC Dawg
December 3rd, 2012
4:52 pm
Bombastic … you are as blind as Stevie Wonder. Slow-mo video proved the ball hit the ground moron.
Damon "red" Evans
December 3rd, 2012
4:53 pm
The refs were the reason why we lost to South Carolina too!!
intheknow
December 3rd, 2012
4:53 pm
Enter yoI love all the Bama boys trying to justify the hit to make themselves feel better…. Just can’t stand the truth can you trailer trash….it was an illegal hit regardless of what you say…period!.. plain and simple. Did it change the outcome of the …no ….but rest assured if a Georgia player would have done the same thing everyone from the state of Alabama including Paul Finebaum would be bitching….Grow up Bama fans …admit that it was a dirty play…completely uncalled for! period….Man up quit acting like spoiled litte boys….you won the game…isn’t that enough ? ….for most people with class it would be!ur comments here
ARdawg
December 3rd, 2012
4:54 pm
Wow! Why do not anyone just consult drsoul to start with? drsoul, does the SEC office have your number? I can’t believe they’d let a resource such as you go unnoticed
Truth
December 3rd, 2012
4:55 pm
Here is what I see. Richt brought with him the lack of discipline of FSU. GA has been one of the most penalized teams in the NCAA since Richt got there. I am not taking up for Dial. If he gets suspended then he gets suspended but don’t think for a second GA is lilly white.
gatorboy62
December 3rd, 2012
4:55 pm
Cry Baby! Aaron should have been running away from the play if he doesn’t want to get hit….
LW
December 3rd, 2012
4:55 pm
Murray was in pursuit of the player after he threw the interception. He was hit by the defensive lineman who was much bigger and more powerful than him. It was not targeting or a cheap shot. Unfortunately the bulldogs want to list this among their long list of excuses.
Les Miles
December 3rd, 2012
4:55 pm
I think the clock management at the end of the game was SPECTACULAR!