Reason for concern?...

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

... or too early to tell?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has seen a noticeable increase in penalties for the Gophers this year (particularly 15-yarders unfortunately).

>>> 2014 - 6.0 Penalties per game (51.2 yards per game)

>>> 2014 - 7.7 Penalties per game in the last 3 games. (64.0 yards per game)

>>> 2013 - 4.6 Penalties per game (38.2 yards per game)

Opponent Penalty First Downs Per Game also way up; 1.2/Game in 2013, all the way up to 2.2/Game in 2014, and 3.0/Game in the last 3 games.

The lower number of penalties last year no doubt contributed SIGNIFICANTLY to the somewhat surprising 8-4 Regular Season record and the 4-game BT win streak.

I hope this is a trend that starts heading back the other way, starting TOMORROW!!

 

[MaxyJR1]

It's a concern as we are half way through the season. The offsides and illegal formation penalties are inexcusable. Roughing the passer penalties give a team new life. I'm sure Kill is not happy with the number of flags.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

I'd argue the rate of questionable officiating is way up over the last couple years. But yeah, some of them are brain farts. Maxx has had more than his fair share. I think his emotion is a double edged sword. I'll take the good with the bad.

 

[killme]

I'd argue the rate of questionable officiating is way up over the last couple years. But yeah, some of them are brain farts. Maxx has had more than his fair share. I think his emotion is a double edged sword. I'll take the good with the bad.

I think Ogee's OP is valid, and I'm sure is being addressed. We're not yet good enough to overcome mistakes that are within our control, especially pre-snap penalties and personal fouls after the whistle. Against the best teams we face, especially. JK's system isn't structured to have those loose ends.

However, teams will make mistakes and we will get questionable (I'm being nice) flags, and the beauty of the system and philosophy is move on, overcome. I used to just accept the officiating variable, but in my crotchety old age have become less tolerant of "bad calls", especially the game-changers that seem to decide the outcome. Certainly if one bad call seems to decide the game, there were plenty of other plays we could have executed better to not put us in that position.

Last game Donovan was called for a presnap illegal procedure. I ran it back on my DVR several times and couldn't detect even the slightest flinch. On the next two NW offensive series, their motion man started towards the line of scrimmage TWICE that were obvious to me in real-time. To double check, I replayed each a couple of times and it was clear enough that I started to worry we were going to get jobbed.

Also, questionable was BBC's late hit on the QB, which Kill also questioned. In live speed on the field, it seemed to set JK off, and I'll never question his emotion and passion. He's not a loose cannon, and there's value in team morale to justify an occasional outburst.

Our penalties are up a bit, for sure. I hope we get it cleaned up.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

I too have become less tolerant of questionable calls. Some, as you pointed out, are baffling. Others are unevenly enforced (holding, late hits) creating a climate of distrust and conspiracy.

Many will say, so what, you didn't play well enough to overcome them. Well, these games are literally about inches and oftentimes one or two plays decide the outcome. That's a terrible argument.

Why have officials if they don't affect the game? Why call a penalty if it doesn't affect the game. The argument is totally nonsensical.

I'd like to see punishments for bad calls. I'm not aware of any type of stick or carrot in regards to official performance. Probably internal but most likely a slap on the wrist.