College Football Nation: Adrian Hilburn
DALLAS -- Big 12 coordinator of officials Walt Anderson opened up a presentation on Monday morning with one of the most infamous plays of the college football season in 2010: The Bronx Salute. Adrian Hilburn's salute to a group of Kansas State fans that had traveled from the Little Apple to the Big Apple drew a flag, leaving the Wildcats 18 yards from a 36-all tie instead of 3, and an eventual loss.
Wildcats coach Bill Snyder, however, isn't complaining, though the example has been used as an incorrect interpretation of the new celebration rules preparing to hit college football this fall.
"There was an awful lot of media attention paid to it, talk shows, etc., etc., across the nation. So that perhaps had some impact on [the change]," Snyder said. "But it certainly wasn't anything that I said or -- it happened. And what do we say? It is what it is or it was what it was."
The new rule allows for points to be taken off the board for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the field of play, and though Anderson and his officiating brethren insist they'll be erring on the conservative side -- both in the scope and location of the celebrations -- Snyder is asking for just one thing: consistency.
"When you get outside of the conference, play with officials that come from a different conference, you're not sure if you'll have the same continuity," Snyder said. "The best way for it not to be an issue is to make sure that your youngsters don't do anything that would threaten the letter of the rule itself."
How to do that? What else? Discipline, Snyder says, a trait his teams over the years have ultimately become known for.
"It's hard sometimes because every football coach in the country will tell you -- and you would feel the same way -- that if you were coaching that you would want young people to be passionate about the game and play with great spirit and emotion because it is that kind of a game. And when you do that, you know, sometimes you just show your joy, and it's strictly that," Snyder said. "It's not trying to demean anyone. It's just joy of accomplishing something on the field. And to get penalized, really it's kind of a hard thing for young guys."
Wildcats coach Bill Snyder, however, isn't complaining, though the example has been used as an incorrect interpretation of the new celebration rules preparing to hit college football this fall.
"There was an awful lot of media attention paid to it, talk shows, etc., etc., across the nation. So that perhaps had some impact on [the change]," Snyder said. "But it certainly wasn't anything that I said or -- it happened. And what do we say? It is what it is or it was what it was."
The new rule allows for points to be taken off the board for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the field of play, and though Anderson and his officiating brethren insist they'll be erring on the conservative side -- both in the scope and location of the celebrations -- Snyder is asking for just one thing: consistency.
"When you get outside of the conference, play with officials that come from a different conference, you're not sure if you'll have the same continuity," Snyder said. "The best way for it not to be an issue is to make sure that your youngsters don't do anything that would threaten the letter of the rule itself."
How to do that? What else? Discipline, Snyder says, a trait his teams over the years have ultimately become known for.
"It's hard sometimes because every football coach in the country will tell you -- and you would feel the same way -- that if you were coaching that you would want young people to be passionate about the game and play with great spirit and emotion because it is that kind of a game. And when you do that, you know, sometimes you just show your joy, and it's strictly that," Snyder said. "It's not trying to demean anyone. It's just joy of accomplishing something on the field. And to get penalized, really it's kind of a hard thing for young guys."
Baylor's Briles no fan of new taunting rule
April, 25, 2011
4/25/11
4:26
PM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Last year, the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel officially approved three new rule changes. They added a few more earlier this month.
But there's no question about which rule has generated the most controversy.
Beginning next season, if a player taunts while still in the field of play and scores a touchdown, the points won't count and the player will be penalized 15 yards from the spot of the foul.
Previously, a taunting penalty was a dead ball foul and the penalty yards could be assessed on the extra point try or the ensuing kickoff.
Plenty have criticized the rule since it became official last year, and Baylor coach Art Briles joined the group during a recent Big 12 coaches teleconference.
"If you’re letting me vote," he said, "I’m voting no."
But Briles doesn't have a vote, and along with the rest of the coaches, will have to deal with a rule that's wholly subjective and could have a profound impact on the outcome of games.
"I don’t see how taunting to you won’t be different than taunting to me," he said. "If a guy elongates his stride, is that taunting somebody?"
And what's a fist pump? Where is the line between accepted celebration and showing up an opponent. Officials were shown examples during a recent meeting, and one explicit example included a touchdown scored by Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon against Arizona in the Alamo Bowl.
Blackmon beat his defender, but rather than score immediately, ran parallel to the goal line for several stride before crossing for the score. That, officials were shown, would be a penalty.
Kansas State receiver Adrian Hilburn famously was penalized after scoring what could have been a game-tying touchdown in the Pinstripe Bowl, forcing the Wildcats to try a game-tying two-point conversion from the 18-yard line, instead of the 3-yard line.
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, the day following the Pinstripe Bowl, expressed his thoughts on taunting rules as they currently were: still subjective but unable to take points off the board.
"The enforcement of it, it's not for me to say. But what I do know is what our players -- what's explained to them is it is a judgment call. Everybody's judgment is different," Stoops said. "So if you open the door for it to be called, then don't be -- if it is called, don't be saying 'All I did was this.' You opened the door, gave them the opportunity, and everybody's judgment's different. So don't go there. And hopefully our players will abide by the rules."
Most coaches, with the rule now possessing much bigger consequences, will likely have to explain a similar approach to their teams. But coaches can't suppress their players' emotions, and a big play could mean forgetting those guidelines.
"I would hate for one guy that views [taunting] differently than another to determine the outcome of a football game," Briles said.
So would everyone else.
But for now, that's the way the rule is written.
But there's no question about which rule has generated the most controversy.
Beginning next season, if a player taunts while still in the field of play and scores a touchdown, the points won't count and the player will be penalized 15 yards from the spot of the foul.
Previously, a taunting penalty was a dead ball foul and the penalty yards could be assessed on the extra point try or the ensuing kickoff.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Eric GayNew rules would take this 71-yard touchdown by Justin Blackmon off the board.
AP Photo/Eric GayNew rules would take this 71-yard touchdown by Justin Blackmon off the board."If you’re letting me vote," he said, "I’m voting no."
But Briles doesn't have a vote, and along with the rest of the coaches, will have to deal with a rule that's wholly subjective and could have a profound impact on the outcome of games.
"I don’t see how taunting to you won’t be different than taunting to me," he said. "If a guy elongates his stride, is that taunting somebody?"
And what's a fist pump? Where is the line between accepted celebration and showing up an opponent. Officials were shown examples during a recent meeting, and one explicit example included a touchdown scored by Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon against Arizona in the Alamo Bowl.
Blackmon beat his defender, but rather than score immediately, ran parallel to the goal line for several stride before crossing for the score. That, officials were shown, would be a penalty.
Kansas State receiver Adrian Hilburn famously was penalized after scoring what could have been a game-tying touchdown in the Pinstripe Bowl, forcing the Wildcats to try a game-tying two-point conversion from the 18-yard line, instead of the 3-yard line.
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, the day following the Pinstripe Bowl, expressed his thoughts on taunting rules as they currently were: still subjective but unable to take points off the board.
"The enforcement of it, it's not for me to say. But what I do know is what our players -- what's explained to them is it is a judgment call. Everybody's judgment is different," Stoops said. "So if you open the door for it to be called, then don't be -- if it is called, don't be saying 'All I did was this.' You opened the door, gave them the opportunity, and everybody's judgment's different. So don't go there. And hopefully our players will abide by the rules."
Most coaches, with the rule now possessing much bigger consequences, will likely have to explain a similar approach to their teams. But coaches can't suppress their players' emotions, and a big play could mean forgetting those guidelines.
"I would hate for one guy that views [taunting] differently than another to determine the outcome of a football game," Briles said.
So would everyone else.
But for now, that's the way the rule is written.
The Big 12's biggest heartbreakers in 2010
February, 14, 2011
2/14/11
10:00
AM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Valentine's Day isn't all chocolate and kisses and hearts. Plenty of those hearts get broken. The same is true throughout any Big 12 season. Here's who left a few opposing fans in tears in 2010.
1. Landry Jones. Oklahoma State had him backed up deep in his own territory with a two-point lead and a deafening crowd behind him with less than three minutes to play. He'd already teased them with a pick-six earlier in the game. But Jones connected with Cameron Kenney for an 86-yard touchdown to put the Sooners up by nine points. He later hit James Hanna for a 76-yard score to ice the game after the Cowboys returned the ensuing kick for a score. That's cold.
2. Kenji Jackson. It looked like a fairly harmless hit at the time, one that happens countless times in any game. But late in the first half, the Missouri safety came up to the line of scrimmage and laid a solid hit on Taylor Martinez's lower body. Martinez stayed in the game to finish the half, but didn't play in the second half. Nebraska won, but Martinez's sprained ankle changed Nebraska's season, and he was never quite the same player after he hurt the ankle. Jackson's hit was the gift that kept on giving. If it didn't happen, who knows where Nebraska's season would have finished.
3. The Ames wind. I'll give Iowa State backup punter Daniel Kuehl the benefit of the doubt on this one. If the wind at Jack Trice Stadium hadn't been absolutely swirling, he probably could have completed the pass that would have meant the Cyclones beat Nebraska and Texas in the same season and would go to a bowl game. But the pass floated in the wind, and Nebraska's Eric Hagg intercepted the fake extra point to preserve the win. If it had been completed, it would have put the Cyclones in the driver's seat of the Big 12 North, too.
4. Officials in The Bronx. Adrian Hilburn made the catch, made a defender miss and sprinted 30 yards into the end zone to cut Syracuse's eight-point lead to two with less than a minute to play in their bowl game. He shook off a defender after scoring and saluted a group of K-State fans in the stands who made the trip from one Manhattan to the other for the week before the Pinstripe Bowl. "Wrong move, buddy," one official reportedly told Hilburn. He tossed a flag and the Wildcats' lengthy conversion was incomplete. The dagger!
5. Oklahoma State's defense against Texas A&M. What a cruel, cruel win. The defense struggled a bit and let the Aggies jump out to a 21-7 lead at the half. Then a sack and fumble returned for a touchdown put them up 35-21 in the fourth quarter against the Aggies, a stretch of 28 consecutive points. The defense allowed the Aggies to tie the game, but Shaun Lewis intercepted Jerrod Johnson -- his fifth turnover of the night -- and set up a game-winning field goal to beat the Aggies at the gun. If Texas A&M had beaten the Cowboys, it would have won the Big 12 South outright for its first division title since 1998. What a painful way to go down.
1. Landry Jones. Oklahoma State had him backed up deep in his own territory with a two-point lead and a deafening crowd behind him with less than three minutes to play. He'd already teased them with a pick-six earlier in the game. But Jones connected with Cameron Kenney for an 86-yard touchdown to put the Sooners up by nine points. He later hit James Hanna for a 76-yard score to ice the game after the Cowboys returned the ensuing kick for a score. That's cold.
2. Kenji Jackson. It looked like a fairly harmless hit at the time, one that happens countless times in any game. But late in the first half, the Missouri safety came up to the line of scrimmage and laid a solid hit on Taylor Martinez's lower body. Martinez stayed in the game to finish the half, but didn't play in the second half. Nebraska won, but Martinez's sprained ankle changed Nebraska's season, and he was never quite the same player after he hurt the ankle. Jackson's hit was the gift that kept on giving. If it didn't happen, who knows where Nebraska's season would have finished.
3. The Ames wind. I'll give Iowa State backup punter Daniel Kuehl the benefit of the doubt on this one. If the wind at Jack Trice Stadium hadn't been absolutely swirling, he probably could have completed the pass that would have meant the Cyclones beat Nebraska and Texas in the same season and would go to a bowl game. But the pass floated in the wind, and Nebraska's Eric Hagg intercepted the fake extra point to preserve the win. If it had been completed, it would have put the Cyclones in the driver's seat of the Big 12 North, too.
4. Officials in The Bronx. Adrian Hilburn made the catch, made a defender miss and sprinted 30 yards into the end zone to cut Syracuse's eight-point lead to two with less than a minute to play in their bowl game. He shook off a defender after scoring and saluted a group of K-State fans in the stands who made the trip from one Manhattan to the other for the week before the Pinstripe Bowl. "Wrong move, buddy," one official reportedly told Hilburn. He tossed a flag and the Wildcats' lengthy conversion was incomplete. The dagger!
5. Oklahoma State's defense against Texas A&M. What a cruel, cruel win. The defense struggled a bit and let the Aggies jump out to a 21-7 lead at the half. Then a sack and fumble returned for a touchdown put them up 35-21 in the fourth quarter against the Aggies, a stretch of 28 consecutive points. The defense allowed the Aggies to tie the game, but Shaun Lewis intercepted Jerrod Johnson -- his fifth turnover of the night -- and set up a game-winning field goal to beat the Aggies at the gun. If Texas A&M had beaten the Cowboys, it would have won the Big 12 South outright for its first division title since 1998. What a painful way to go down.
Top 10 moments of 2010 in the Big 12
January, 18, 2011
1/18/11
11:46
AM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
It's a difficult task to narrow down a season into 10 moments. My definition of the "top" 10 is the 10 moments that we'll look back on from this season and remember them, good or bad. So, here goes.
1. A&M makes the switch. College football can be a cruel game. Texas A&M entered the season with the Big 12's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Jerrod Johnson, hoping to lead the Aggies to their first Big 12 title since 1998. But offseason surgery sapped the zip from his throwing shoulder and produced an ugly start to his season, leading the Aggies to switch to Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill set the school record for passing yards in his first start, a win over Texas Tech, and helped the Aggies finish the regular season with six consecutive wins and a berth in the Cotton Bowl.
2. Texas' loss to UCLA. The red flags were there. Texas looked uninspired in wins over Wyoming and Rice, but looked dominant on defense in a road win over Texas Tech. Then the cellar-dwelling Bruins and their Pistol offense came to town. The Longhorns got rolled 34-12 in their own stadium. The loss shocked just about everyone, but it was a sign of what was to come: a 5-7 season the Texas faithful would rather forget.
3. Don't call it a comeback. Actually, you could probably call it a comeback. It was no Cam Newton in the Iron Bowl, but Landry Jones helped rally Oklahoma from a 17-0 deficit to Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship to knock off the Huskers, 23-20. The win gave Oklahoma its seventh Big 12 title of the decade.
4. T-Magic runs wild. Kansas State packed Bill Snyder Family Stadium for a Thursday night game with its eyes on an upset of the undefeated Huskers. Taylor Martinez had other ideas. The Nebraska quarterback ran for 241 yards and five touchdowns, injecting himself into the Heisman race and making people think very seriously about Nebraska as a national title contender. Who would have thought Martinez would go the season's final nine games without a rushing touchdown after scoring 10 in the first four? Yes, K-State ended up finishing the season as the Big 12's worst defense, but Martinez put on a show and previewed what Nebraska fans hope is to come in the future.
5. We got a tip drill. Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones thought he'd thrown it away cleanly. Not so, said Brodrick Brown. The Oklahoma State corner skied for Jones' pass headed for the sideline, tipped it back inbounds to his teammate, linebacker Shaun Lewis, who caught it as one of Jones' three interceptions in the first half of the Big 12 South's deciding game.
6. Taylor Martinez's injury. Nebraska already had a loss on its record, but one harmless-looking hit late in the first half of a big win changed Nebraska's season. Martinez was running laterally looking for a crease in the defense when Missouri safety Kenji Jackson flew in from the secondary and laid a hit on his lower body. Martinez sat the entire second half, and later revealed he had a sprained ankle. The freshman quarterback was never the same, and aggravated the injury again in a loss to Texas A&M.
7. Saluting your fans is bad, mmmmk. Adrian Hilburn made one of the biggest plays of Kansas State's season, catching a short pass and taking it 30 yards for a possible game-tying score with his team down eight. But after scoring, he saluted a group of Kansas State fans in the stands, and the official tossed a flag for excessive celebration after telling Hilburn he'd made the "wrong choice, buddy." The 15-yard penalty moved the Wildcats back, and Carson Coffman's pass on the conversion fell incomplete. Kansas State lost by two.
8. Moe's miracle. Missouri's season already looked off the rails. Blaine Gabbert threw a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions. The Tigers trailed San Diego State 24-20 with a minute to play and 68 yards between them and the end zone. Don't worry about it, said T.J. Moe. The sophomore receiver caught a short pass, made two defenders slam into each other and sprinted for the game-winning score that helped Missouri jump out to a 7-0 start to its season. Teammate Carl Gettis told Moe in the end zone, "Thank you for saving our season."
9. Last five minutes of Bedlam. Bedlam lived up to its moniker with a crazy finish that ended with the Sooners on top. Four touchdowns were scored within 92 seconds in the game's final five minutes. Oklahoma State scored to get within two points with just over four minutes to play, but on 3rd-and-long, Landry Jones found Cameron Kenney over the middle for an 86-yard touchdown pass. The ensuing kickoff? Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert took it 89 yards to get back within two. But 17 seconds later, Jones found tight end James Hanna down the left sideline for a 76-yard touchdown that all but sealed the Sooners' win.
10. The Jayhawks win one for the ages. Kansas and Colorado were the Big 12's only teams still without a win in conference play. Something had to give. Few figured the Buffaloes 28-point lead would be what buckled. Colorado led 45-17 with just over 11 minutes to play, but the Jayhawks scored a frenzied 35 points to finish with a 52-45 win, their only conference win of the season. Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins never got to coach another game for Colorado after being fired following the loss.
1. A&M makes the switch. College football can be a cruel game. Texas A&M entered the season with the Big 12's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Jerrod Johnson, hoping to lead the Aggies to their first Big 12 title since 1998. But offseason surgery sapped the zip from his throwing shoulder and produced an ugly start to his season, leading the Aggies to switch to Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill set the school record for passing yards in his first start, a win over Texas Tech, and helped the Aggies finish the regular season with six consecutive wins and a berth in the Cotton Bowl.
2. Texas' loss to UCLA. The red flags were there. Texas looked uninspired in wins over Wyoming and Rice, but looked dominant on defense in a road win over Texas Tech. Then the cellar-dwelling Bruins and their Pistol offense came to town. The Longhorns got rolled 34-12 in their own stadium. The loss shocked just about everyone, but it was a sign of what was to come: a 5-7 season the Texas faithful would rather forget.
3. Don't call it a comeback. Actually, you could probably call it a comeback. It was no Cam Newton in the Iron Bowl, but Landry Jones helped rally Oklahoma from a 17-0 deficit to Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship to knock off the Huskers, 23-20. The win gave Oklahoma its seventh Big 12 title of the decade.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Charlie RiedelTaylor Martinez's career night included 241 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
AP Photo/Charlie RiedelTaylor Martinez's career night included 241 rushing yards and five touchdowns.5. We got a tip drill. Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones thought he'd thrown it away cleanly. Not so, said Brodrick Brown. The Oklahoma State corner skied for Jones' pass headed for the sideline, tipped it back inbounds to his teammate, linebacker Shaun Lewis, who caught it as one of Jones' three interceptions in the first half of the Big 12 South's deciding game.
6. Taylor Martinez's injury. Nebraska already had a loss on its record, but one harmless-looking hit late in the first half of a big win changed Nebraska's season. Martinez was running laterally looking for a crease in the defense when Missouri safety Kenji Jackson flew in from the secondary and laid a hit on his lower body. Martinez sat the entire second half, and later revealed he had a sprained ankle. The freshman quarterback was never the same, and aggravated the injury again in a loss to Texas A&M.
7. Saluting your fans is bad, mmmmk. Adrian Hilburn made one of the biggest plays of Kansas State's season, catching a short pass and taking it 30 yards for a possible game-tying score with his team down eight. But after scoring, he saluted a group of Kansas State fans in the stands, and the official tossed a flag for excessive celebration after telling Hilburn he'd made the "wrong choice, buddy." The 15-yard penalty moved the Wildcats back, and Carson Coffman's pass on the conversion fell incomplete. Kansas State lost by two.
8. Moe's miracle. Missouri's season already looked off the rails. Blaine Gabbert threw a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions. The Tigers trailed San Diego State 24-20 with a minute to play and 68 yards between them and the end zone. Don't worry about it, said T.J. Moe. The sophomore receiver caught a short pass, made two defenders slam into each other and sprinted for the game-winning score that helped Missouri jump out to a 7-0 start to its season. Teammate Carl Gettis told Moe in the end zone, "Thank you for saving our season."
9. Last five minutes of Bedlam. Bedlam lived up to its moniker with a crazy finish that ended with the Sooners on top. Four touchdowns were scored within 92 seconds in the game's final five minutes. Oklahoma State scored to get within two points with just over four minutes to play, but on 3rd-and-long, Landry Jones found Cameron Kenney over the middle for an 86-yard touchdown pass. The ensuing kickoff? Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert took it 89 yards to get back within two. But 17 seconds later, Jones found tight end James Hanna down the left sideline for a 76-yard touchdown that all but sealed the Sooners' win.
10. The Jayhawks win one for the ages. Kansas and Colorado were the Big 12's only teams still without a win in conference play. Something had to give. Few figured the Buffaloes 28-point lead would be what buckled. Colorado led 45-17 with just over 11 minutes to play, but the Jayhawks scored a frenzied 35 points to finish with a 52-45 win, their only conference win of the season. Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins never got to coach another game for Colorado after being fired following the loss.
The best and worst of the Big 12 bowls
January, 13, 2011
1/13/11
9:00
AM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
The Big 12 bowl season is over, and we weighed in on what was an overall disappointment on Wednesday. There were plenty of good moments to come with the bad, though.
Here's the best and worst of the Big 12 bowls after the 2010 season:
Best player: Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma. Broyles caught 13 passes for the second consecutive bowl game, racked up 170 yards and scored a touchdown in Oklahoma's 48-20 win over Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl.
Best team performance: Oklahoma. The Sooners shut down Connecticut running back Jordan Todman early in the game and poured it on with plenty of offense late in the game. With their win over Connecticut, the Sooners also ended a five-game BCS bowl game skid.
Best offensive play: Broyles. Up 34-20 and on Connecticut's six-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, Broyle's caught a high pass from Landry Jones on the right side of the end zone. He jumped out of bounds to make the catch, but unbelievably reached a foot back and tapped the red paint in Oklahoma's end zone for the score on his final catch of the night.
Best defensive play: Coryell Judie, DB, Texas A&M. On LSU's opening drive, Tigers quarterback Jordan Jefferson tried to loft a ball down the right sideline for a score, but Judie flew up from a zone underneath the receiver and snagged an interception with one hand to keep the Tigers off the board early.
Worst play: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri. The Tigers looked in complete control late in the fourth quarter, driving deep in Iowa territory with a 24-20 lead. Gabbert rolled to his left, and tried to loft a pass across his body to receiver Wes Kemp. He under threw it, Iowa's Micah Hyde intercepted it and returned the pick 72 yards for the final score, 27-24.
Worst team performance: Nebraska. Few gave Washington a chance after Taylor Martinez and the Huskers stomped the Huskies in Seattle 56-21 in September. The Huskies entered as two-touchdown underdogs, and outdid the Huskers in about every way possible, running the ball well and throwing the ball efficiently with Jake Locker.
Most harmless salute: Adrian Hilburn, WR, Kansas State. With his team trailing by eight in the final minutes of the Pinstripe Bowl, Hilburn caught a short pass and took it 30 yards into the end zone, setting up a possible game-tying two-point conversion. But after the score, he flashed a salute to some Kansas State fans in the stands. An official told Hilburn "Wrong choice, buddy." and tossed a flag that cost the Wildcats 15 yards. Carson Coffman's long pass for the conversion fell incomplete and K-State lost.
Second-most harmless salute: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State. Blackmon gave one to Philadelphia Eagles' receiver/punt returner DeSean Jackson. After toasting an Arizona defender for an easy 71-yard score, Blackmon cut across the goal line, delaying his touchdown that opened the game's scoring. He wasn't flagged, but he did catch a cheap shot from a Wildcats defender later in the game, presumably for the premature celebration.
Best unsung hero: Dan Bailey, K/P, Oklahoma State. Bailey was forced into punting duty because Quinn Sharp was academically ineligible. All five of his punts were solid, and he pinned one inside the 20-yard line. He also hit all three of his field goals, two of which came from beyond 40 yards and another that was from 50.
Best out-of-nowhere performance: Hilburn. The senior receiver had a career-high 84 yards with his 30-yard score. His five catches were the most receptions he's had in a game in all but one match during his two-year stint as a Wildcat. His salute got plenty of attention, but it overshadowed a game in which he was K-State's leading receiver and made one of the biggest plays of their season.
Biggest fade into Bolivian: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska. David finished the Big 12 season with four double-digit tackle performances in five games to lead the league by 19 stops. But against a Washington team bent on running the ball, he made just seven stops, and one for a loss. Those seven tackles were the fewest David made since he notched five against Washington earlier this season.
Worst break: Michael Hodges, LB, Texas A&M. The Aggies senior linebacker, leader and leading tackler was playing his last game after earning his spot the previous year as a former walk-on. But with a 10-0 lead, Hodges sprained an ACL and couldn't return. After his injury, A&M was outscored 41-14.
Best atmosphere: Cotton Bowl. Two of the country's best fan bases made themselves known, packing Cowboys Stadium and staying loud for most of the game. Texas A&M and LSU sold out the game just days after the matchup was announced, and brought their excitement to JerryWorld.
Here's the best and worst of the Big 12 bowls after the 2010 season:
[+] Enlarge
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesRyan Broyles had 170 yards on 13 catches against the Huskies in the Fiesta Bowl.
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesRyan Broyles had 170 yards on 13 catches against the Huskies in the Fiesta Bowl.Best team performance: Oklahoma. The Sooners shut down Connecticut running back Jordan Todman early in the game and poured it on with plenty of offense late in the game. With their win over Connecticut, the Sooners also ended a five-game BCS bowl game skid.
Best offensive play: Broyles. Up 34-20 and on Connecticut's six-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, Broyle's caught a high pass from Landry Jones on the right side of the end zone. He jumped out of bounds to make the catch, but unbelievably reached a foot back and tapped the red paint in Oklahoma's end zone for the score on his final catch of the night.
Best defensive play: Coryell Judie, DB, Texas A&M. On LSU's opening drive, Tigers quarterback Jordan Jefferson tried to loft a ball down the right sideline for a score, but Judie flew up from a zone underneath the receiver and snagged an interception with one hand to keep the Tigers off the board early.
Worst play: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri. The Tigers looked in complete control late in the fourth quarter, driving deep in Iowa territory with a 24-20 lead. Gabbert rolled to his left, and tried to loft a pass across his body to receiver Wes Kemp. He under threw it, Iowa's Micah Hyde intercepted it and returned the pick 72 yards for the final score, 27-24.
Worst team performance: Nebraska. Few gave Washington a chance after Taylor Martinez and the Huskers stomped the Huskies in Seattle 56-21 in September. The Huskies entered as two-touchdown underdogs, and outdid the Huskers in about every way possible, running the ball well and throwing the ball efficiently with Jake Locker.
Most harmless salute: Adrian Hilburn, WR, Kansas State. With his team trailing by eight in the final minutes of the Pinstripe Bowl, Hilburn caught a short pass and took it 30 yards into the end zone, setting up a possible game-tying two-point conversion. But after the score, he flashed a salute to some Kansas State fans in the stands. An official told Hilburn "Wrong choice, buddy." and tossed a flag that cost the Wildcats 15 yards. Carson Coffman's long pass for the conversion fell incomplete and K-State lost.
Second-most harmless salute: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State. Blackmon gave one to Philadelphia Eagles' receiver/punt returner DeSean Jackson. After toasting an Arizona defender for an easy 71-yard score, Blackmon cut across the goal line, delaying his touchdown that opened the game's scoring. He wasn't flagged, but he did catch a cheap shot from a Wildcats defender later in the game, presumably for the premature celebration.
Best unsung hero: Dan Bailey, K/P, Oklahoma State. Bailey was forced into punting duty because Quinn Sharp was academically ineligible. All five of his punts were solid, and he pinned one inside the 20-yard line. He also hit all three of his field goals, two of which came from beyond 40 yards and another that was from 50.
Best out-of-nowhere performance: Hilburn. The senior receiver had a career-high 84 yards with his 30-yard score. His five catches were the most receptions he's had in a game in all but one match during his two-year stint as a Wildcat. His salute got plenty of attention, but it overshadowed a game in which he was K-State's leading receiver and made one of the biggest plays of their season.
Biggest fade into Bolivian: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska. David finished the Big 12 season with four double-digit tackle performances in five games to lead the league by 19 stops. But against a Washington team bent on running the ball, he made just seven stops, and one for a loss. Those seven tackles were the fewest David made since he notched five against Washington earlier this season.
Worst break: Michael Hodges, LB, Texas A&M. The Aggies senior linebacker, leader and leading tackler was playing his last game after earning his spot the previous year as a former walk-on. But with a 10-0 lead, Hodges sprained an ACL and couldn't return. After his injury, A&M was outscored 41-14.
Best atmosphere: Cotton Bowl. Two of the country's best fan bases made themselves known, packing Cowboys Stadium and staying loud for most of the game. Texas A&M and LSU sold out the game just days after the matchup was announced, and brought their excitement to JerryWorld.
What we learned in the Big 12: Bowl season
January, 12, 2011
1/12/11
9:00
AM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
1. If the Big 12 is going to impress on big stages against other conferences, it has to get better at stopping the run. You saw it in last year's national championship game, which was part of the reason Texas committed to a downhill running game in 2010. This time around, it was no different. Iowa kicked things off by running all over Missouri. Marcus Coker finished with 219 yards against the Tigers. Baylor couldn't stop Illinois' running game. The Illini ran for 291 yards against the Bears. Syracuse was two yards away from having a 200-yard rusher against Kansas State and had 259 yards on the ground as a team. Washington went for 268 against Nebraska. LSU did whatever it wanted against Texas A&M and finished with 288 yards. Try not to be too surprised, but every aforementioned Big 12 team lost those games. Any team that had a downhill running game beat a Big 12 team. Oklahoma was the only team who could stop it, and the Sooners beat Connecticut 48-20.
2. Oklahoma really can get it done in the BCS. Yes, critics will crow about Connecticut's lack of a ranking, but like I wrote last week, this was as much about Oklahoma's poor play in BCS games as it was about their losses. To quote one Gene Chizik (and Lil' Wayne, too, I guess), the Sooners could say they "DWWD" against the Huskies. That is to say, OU successfully "Did What We Do" and won a game that was never really in doubt after the first half. It's been awhile since OU could say that, and it might enter 2011 as the preseason No. 1 because of it. If it hangs on to that spot, it won't have to worry about the BCS asterisk hanging over its head later in the year, either.
3. Nebraska's finish left a lot to be desired. The ugly loss to Texas A&M aside, Nebraska was still in position for a Big 12 title and a BCS bowl appearance. So much for that. The Huskers squandered an early 17-0 lead against Oklahoma in the championship, and then laid an absolute egg against Washington, losing 19-7 despite being favored to win by two touchdowns. That's not exactly the momentum the Huskers would have liked heading into the Big Ten. Instead they are looking for a shoulder to lean on (Dan Beebe's, perhaps?) during an offseason that needs to feature a long look and perhaps changes to what the Huskers do offensively. Forcing Taylor Martinez to be a drop-back passer a la Terrelle Pryor is not a good look, and Nebraska did it plenty (if only because of injury during the regular season) during its 1-3 finish to the season.
4. So did the Aggies' finish. Texas A&M's ugly loss to LSU doesn't erase the momentum established during its six-game winning streak to close the season, but it certainly delivers a blow. The Aggies should be ranked to begin the season, and don't have an easy run to start. SMU, Arkansas and Oklahoma State are all scheduled to play against the Aggies in their first four games. Stumbling out of the gate like Texas A&M did this year when real competition arrived won't fly. Of course, keeping Jeff Fuller will make avoiding that outcome a bit easier.
5. Late in games, celebrate at your own risk. We've written about "The Bronx Salute" plenty this bowl season, and by now, there's not much left to say. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops really said it best, relaying a message every coach should pass along to his players next year: "... it is a judgment call. Everybody's judgment is different," Stoops said. "So if you open the door for it to be called, then don't be -- if it is called, don't be saying 'All I did was this.' You opened the door, gave them the opportunity, and everybody's judgment's different. So don't go there." Adrian Hilburn went there, and paid dearly for it. Ultimately this was a meaningless bowl game between two seven-win teams. Please, Mr. Late-Game Touchdown Scorer, don't make an official's flag, unnecessary or otherwise, become a focal point for your team's season.
2. Oklahoma really can get it done in the BCS. Yes, critics will crow about Connecticut's lack of a ranking, but like I wrote last week, this was as much about Oklahoma's poor play in BCS games as it was about their losses. To quote one Gene Chizik (and Lil' Wayne, too, I guess), the Sooners could say they "DWWD" against the Huskies. That is to say, OU successfully "Did What We Do" and won a game that was never really in doubt after the first half. It's been awhile since OU could say that, and it might enter 2011 as the preseason No. 1 because of it. If it hangs on to that spot, it won't have to worry about the BCS asterisk hanging over its head later in the year, either.
3. Nebraska's finish left a lot to be desired. The ugly loss to Texas A&M aside, Nebraska was still in position for a Big 12 title and a BCS bowl appearance. So much for that. The Huskers squandered an early 17-0 lead against Oklahoma in the championship, and then laid an absolute egg against Washington, losing 19-7 despite being favored to win by two touchdowns. That's not exactly the momentum the Huskers would have liked heading into the Big Ten. Instead they are looking for a shoulder to lean on (Dan Beebe's, perhaps?) during an offseason that needs to feature a long look and perhaps changes to what the Huskers do offensively. Forcing Taylor Martinez to be a drop-back passer a la Terrelle Pryor is not a good look, and Nebraska did it plenty (if only because of injury during the regular season) during its 1-3 finish to the season.
4. So did the Aggies' finish. Texas A&M's ugly loss to LSU doesn't erase the momentum established during its six-game winning streak to close the season, but it certainly delivers a blow. The Aggies should be ranked to begin the season, and don't have an easy run to start. SMU, Arkansas and Oklahoma State are all scheduled to play against the Aggies in their first four games. Stumbling out of the gate like Texas A&M did this year when real competition arrived won't fly. Of course, keeping Jeff Fuller will make avoiding that outcome a bit easier.
5. Late in games, celebrate at your own risk. We've written about "The Bronx Salute" plenty this bowl season, and by now, there's not much left to say. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops really said it best, relaying a message every coach should pass along to his players next year: "... it is a judgment call. Everybody's judgment is different," Stoops said. "So if you open the door for it to be called, then don't be -- if it is called, don't be saying 'All I did was this.' You opened the door, gave them the opportunity, and everybody's judgment's different. So don't go there." Adrian Hilburn went there, and paid dearly for it. Ultimately this was a meaningless bowl game between two seven-win teams. Please, Mr. Late-Game Touchdown Scorer, don't make an official's flag, unnecessary or otherwise, become a focal point for your team's season.
3-point stance: Refs at fault in New York
December, 31, 2010
12/31/10
5:00
AM ET
By
Ivan Maisel | ESPN.com
1. Kansas State wide receiver Adrian Hilburn got flagged for one quick salute to the crowd after scoring a touchdown with 1:13 to play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl that pulled the Wildcats within 36-34 of Syracuse. Kansas State had to go for two points from the 17, and failed. If the standard is an excessive act that calls attention to the participant who committed it, then the Big Ten crew that flagged Hilburn committed the more egregious act. But if you saw the game, you don’t need me to tell you that.
2. Army’s 16-14 victory over SMU in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl means the Black Knights finished with a 7-6 record. You could talk all day about the rebuilding job that Rich Ellerson is performing at West Point. But let’s all salute Army, Navy (9-4) and Air Force (9-4) for having winning records in the same season for the first time since 1996. That is, unless there’s a Big Ten officiating crew lurking around.
3. Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema sounded a genuine note of remorse that he couldn’t see his college coach, Hayden Fry of Iowa, be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame on Thursday. “He's the first man that believed in me in coaching,” Bielema said. “I walked on and I earned his respect right away. He didn't know my name. He called me 86. That was my jersey. At least he knew my jersey. But I began to work and he'd see me do things every day.”
2. Army’s 16-14 victory over SMU in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl means the Black Knights finished with a 7-6 record. You could talk all day about the rebuilding job that Rich Ellerson is performing at West Point. But let’s all salute Army, Navy (9-4) and Air Force (9-4) for having winning records in the same season for the first time since 1996. That is, unless there’s a Big Ten officiating crew lurking around.
3. Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema sounded a genuine note of remorse that he couldn’t see his college coach, Hayden Fry of Iowa, be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame on Thursday. “He's the first man that believed in me in coaching,” Bielema said. “I walked on and I earned his respect right away. He didn't know my name. He called me 86. That was my jersey. At least he knew my jersey. But I began to work and he'd see me do things every day.”
Pinstripe Bowl official explains salute flag
December, 30, 2010
12/30/10
10:16
PM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Todd Geerlings, the head official on the officiating crew from the Pinstripe Bowl earlier today, explained the reasoning for the call after the game in pool quotes provided to media members.
Kansas State lost 36-34 to Syracuse when officials flagged Wildcats receiver Adrian Hilburn for excessive celebration. Hilburn he saluted in the direction of the crowd after scoring on a 30-yard catch-and-run that gave Kansas State an opportunity to tie the game. But a 15-yard penalty was assessed on the two-point conversion try, which Kansas State failed to convert.
It was a Big Ten officiating crew.
Here's the full text of Geerling's explanation:
Excessive celebration is rule 9-2-1d, which states a penalty is called for:
"Any delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by which a player attempts to focus attention on himself (or themselves)."
What exactly caused the penalty?
"It was the salute, which was the judgment of the calling officials, which were the head linesman and the back judge. Two officials threw the flag, both judged it to be drawing attention to themselves, and that's what the flag was for."
Were you watching for any celebrations?
"These kinds of excessive celebrations have been a priority in the rulebook for the last several years. There's a whole page in the rulebook pertaining to sportsmanship."
That's a pretty weak explanation.
Regardless of the wording of the rule, officials have to take into account context as well as timing. Plenty of players' actions after scoring are far more animated and draw plenty more attention, but you don't see those flagged.
For that flag to be thrown at such a crucial moment only makes it worse.
Kansas State lost 36-34 to Syracuse when officials flagged Wildcats receiver Adrian Hilburn for excessive celebration. Hilburn he saluted in the direction of the crowd after scoring on a 30-yard catch-and-run that gave Kansas State an opportunity to tie the game. But a 15-yard penalty was assessed on the two-point conversion try, which Kansas State failed to convert.
It was a Big Ten officiating crew.
Here's the full text of Geerling's explanation:
Excessive celebration is rule 9-2-1d, which states a penalty is called for:
"Any delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by which a player attempts to focus attention on himself (or themselves)."
What exactly caused the penalty?
"It was the salute, which was the judgment of the calling officials, which were the head linesman and the back judge. Two officials threw the flag, both judged it to be drawing attention to themselves, and that's what the flag was for."
Were you watching for any celebrations?
"These kinds of excessive celebrations have been a priority in the rulebook for the last several years. There's a whole page in the rulebook pertaining to sportsmanship."
That's a pretty weak explanation.
Regardless of the wording of the rule, officials have to take into account context as well as timing. Plenty of players' actions after scoring are far more animated and draw plenty more attention, but you don't see those flagged.
For that flag to be thrown at such a crucial moment only makes it worse.
Instant analysis: Syracuse 36, Kansas State 34
December, 30, 2010
12/30/10
6:55
PM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
What a wild game, won by Syracuse, 36-34. Great entertainment and one of the best games of the bowl season, but an ugly finish that was, in the end, decided by officials. Nobody likes to see that.
How the game was won: Kansas State's Adrian Hilburn scored a touchdown on a 30-yard pass from Carson Coffman with 1:13 to play that brought the Wildcats within two. Hilburn, however, was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct when officials ruled that his simple salute was excessive celebration. That forced Kansas State to try and tie the game with an 18-yard two-point conversion, but Coffman's pass fell incomplete and the Wildcats couldn't execute an onside kick.
Turning point: The flag after the touchdown. We might have been headed to overtime, but Kansas State had to settle for a low-percentage conversion and couldn't do it. Officials should have kept the flag in their pocket on a celebration that was hardly excessive, and especially a flag that had such a profound impact on the final score. Kansas State and its fans have a right to be angry. You feel bad for Hilburn, whose celebration (of his second career touchdown, by the way) was by no means out of line, but ended up costing the Wildcats the game. He didn't deserve that.
Player of the game: Delone Carter, RB, Syracuse. Kansas State had no answer defensively for the balanced back who ran over and around Wildcats defenders all day. He finished with 202 yards and a pair of TDs on 28 carries.
Unsung hero: Carson Coffman, QB, Kansas State. The Orange keyed in on Daniel THomas, but the maligned senior quarterback made play after play to keep the Wildcats alive, including catching a 29-yard pass from Daniel Thomas earlier in the game to set up a touchdown. He finished 17-of-23 for 229 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and ran for 26 yards on nine carries.
Best call: Trailing 33-28 in the fourth quarter after a Syracuse touchdown, Kansas State ran a flea flicker and completed an underthrown ball to Aubrey Quarles for 41 yards, setting up what they hoped was an eventual go-ahead touchdown, but the drive ended in the failed fake field goal.
Second guessing: I loved the late fake field goal from Kansas State, but hated the execution. That deep, there wasn't going to be enough room to run the ball up the middle, and the Wildcats needed some misdirection or trickery in the form of a pass to the kicker or a leaking receiver to make that play a success.
What it means: The Big 12 drops to 1-3 in bowl season now, with a pair of losses to Big Ten teams and one the Big East. The late flag will overshadow a bit of the loss, but the Wildcats return to the postseason for the first time since 2006 had an ugly finish.
Record performance: With his performance, Thomas moved into second place all-time for rushing yards at Kansas State. Only Darren Sproles has more, but most impressively, Thomas did it in two years as a juco transfer.
How the game was won: Kansas State's Adrian Hilburn scored a touchdown on a 30-yard pass from Carson Coffman with 1:13 to play that brought the Wildcats within two. Hilburn, however, was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct when officials ruled that his simple salute was excessive celebration. That forced Kansas State to try and tie the game with an 18-yard two-point conversion, but Coffman's pass fell incomplete and the Wildcats couldn't execute an onside kick.
Turning point: The flag after the touchdown. We might have been headed to overtime, but Kansas State had to settle for a low-percentage conversion and couldn't do it. Officials should have kept the flag in their pocket on a celebration that was hardly excessive, and especially a flag that had such a profound impact on the final score. Kansas State and its fans have a right to be angry. You feel bad for Hilburn, whose celebration (of his second career touchdown, by the way) was by no means out of line, but ended up costing the Wildcats the game. He didn't deserve that.
Player of the game: Delone Carter, RB, Syracuse. Kansas State had no answer defensively for the balanced back who ran over and around Wildcats defenders all day. He finished with 202 yards and a pair of TDs on 28 carries.
Unsung hero: Carson Coffman, QB, Kansas State. The Orange keyed in on Daniel THomas, but the maligned senior quarterback made play after play to keep the Wildcats alive, including catching a 29-yard pass from Daniel Thomas earlier in the game to set up a touchdown. He finished 17-of-23 for 229 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and ran for 26 yards on nine carries.
Best call: Trailing 33-28 in the fourth quarter after a Syracuse touchdown, Kansas State ran a flea flicker and completed an underthrown ball to Aubrey Quarles for 41 yards, setting up what they hoped was an eventual go-ahead touchdown, but the drive ended in the failed fake field goal.
Second guessing: I loved the late fake field goal from Kansas State, but hated the execution. That deep, there wasn't going to be enough room to run the ball up the middle, and the Wildcats needed some misdirection or trickery in the form of a pass to the kicker or a leaking receiver to make that play a success.
What it means: The Big 12 drops to 1-3 in bowl season now, with a pair of losses to Big Ten teams and one the Big East. The late flag will overshadow a bit of the loss, but the Wildcats return to the postseason for the first time since 2006 had an ugly finish.
Record performance: With his performance, Thomas moved into second place all-time for rushing yards at Kansas State. Only Darren Sproles has more, but most impressively, Thomas did it in two years as a juco transfer.
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