Spurrier says Alabama used tape to help spot FGs, questions legality
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said Alabama used some tape trickery to spot field goals and extra points last weekend and is asking the Southeastern Conference if that is legal.
While reviewing video of the No. 23 Gamecocks 20-6 loss, Spurrier said Tuesday he looked like the Crimson Tide holder put a small piece of white tape on the ground to spot PATs and field goals.
“I thought you just had to put it on the ground. But they had a little piece of white tape or something, and I looked at it on tape and I said, ‘What’s that little piece of white there?’. Then after the guy kicked it he grabbed it and put it back in his pocket,” Spurrier said.
SEC officials received a formal complaint from South Carolina officials Tuesday and are looking into the matter, league spokesman Charles Bloom said.
Alabama officials didn’t immediately return a message from The Associated Press.
Crimson Tide kicker Leigh Tiffin hit both extra points and field goals of 25 and 35 yards Saturday, while missing a 49-yarder. The senior is 9-of-11 on field goals and 21-of-23 on PATs this season.
Spurrier said he has no idea if the what he thinks happened is legal.
“I’ve never seen that before,” Spurrier said. “But I’m sure they’ve probably been doing it all year.”
The NCAA football rulebook (Rule 6-3; Article 10; subsection d) says:
“Any device or material used to mark the spot of a scrimmage place kick or elevate the ball makes the kick illegal.”
The penalty is “illegal kick” and is five yards from the previous spot.
SportingNews.com
10/21/9
