ESPN: B1G approves 8-member officiating crews

[BleedGopher]

per ESPN:

Big Ten athletic directors this week approved the increase of football officiating crews from seven members to eight for all home games beginning with the 2014 season. A center judge, who will line up in the offensive backfield opposite the head referee, will serve as the eighth official.

"We're looking for improved officiating -- that's the No. 1 reason," Big Ten coordinator of football officials Bill Carollo told ESPN.com. "We feel the eighth man can help that. It helps with quality, more accuracy and there's probably a few plays we're missing because of some blind spots, some gaps on the field with coverage."

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/101000/b1g-approves-8-member-officiating-crews

Go Gophers!!

 

[Coolew01]

My memory is fuzzy, i really hope they watch illegal man downfield next year. I seem to remember it maybe being Nebraska and another team where the lineman where three yards down the field before the pass was thrown/caught.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Is the ES-E-SEE going to follow?

Sorry to bring up bad memories but maybe they should go to nine.

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2013...xas-bowl-refs-make-maybe-the-years-worst-call

 

[husker70]

My memory is fuzzy, i really hope they watch illegal man downfield next year. I seem to remember it maybe being Nebraska and another team where the lineman where three yards down the field before the pass was thrown/caught.

That would be a call from either the Head Linesman or the Line Judge. They are on the line of scrimmage. Possibly the Umpire. But a blown call is just that. Adding another official to the backfield will aid in holding calls especially on the edge. Maybe ruffing the QB.

 

[Schnauzer]

This should assure penalty flags for every other play, instead of every third.

 

[denguegopher]

This should assure penalty flags for every other play, instead of every third.

This is exactly what I was thinking.