Game Official Takes Down South Carolina Quarterback Stephen Garcia

We give him a seven on the artistic score, but an ugly five on technical merit. That tackle was way too high ... go for the legs, man!

Pretty self-explanatory stuff here, but yet so bafflingly weird. For reasons unknown, an official in last night's incredibly tense and tight game between South Carolina and LSU appeared to tackle South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia.

Garcia was scrambling from the pocket and the official had turned to watch him, then went into some sort of strange stance before lunging into him with his right arm, knocking Garcia down and ending the play. Both actors appeared to shrug the moment off, but honestly what was that official thinking?

Video after the jump.

Perhaps he's a former player and simply had one of those flashbacks we always hear about with war veterans and relived an old football moment? Or maybe Stephen Garcia simply offends him. Lord knows Garcia's had a few run-ins with other authorities in his brief college career.

Most South Carolina fans seem to be avoiding conspiracy talk, but one did note the official's potential as a linebacker recruit.

The ref is a 3 star. 6'1" 210 lbs. A little slow but he has us in his top five right now. Too bad we are full a LB this year!

Well played.

(Video originally from TheState.com)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

10-19-2008 @ 10:51PM

Mickey Gauthier said...

I'm a S. Carolina Alumnus; Class of 1976. I've been a member of the Gamecock Nation since I was 3 years old. Some of the verbage/jargon I was taught is for example: "We can't be expected to beat the other team AND the referees both". Of course that was used when the officials were making lousy calls against our team.

In my 51 years as a fan, I saw something for the very first time last night. I saw the old cliche' LITERALLY!!! when the referee made a solid tackle on Stephen Garcia. We truly could not beat the Tigers AND the referees. If Garcia had scored on that play, the outcome could have been different!

10-20-2008 @ 6:22PM

Sean said...

But we scored 2 plays later... Not much different, except for about 20 seconds off the clock in the first half. That wouldnt've made much of a difference, imho.

10-19-2008 @ 7:34PM

dc said...

I hope this official was not Mike Washington who made 7 bad calls at the 2000 Clemson/USC game and cost SC the game.
This guy has some questions to answer.

10-20-2008 @ 9:48AM

Chris said...

No offense but that was funny, thats never going to happen again. I play football next for a highschool, and I wish that woulda been me so I could be recognized as the guy "that got drilled by the ref in that game"

10-20-2008 @ 5:47PM

Matt Snyder said...

Chris -- If you play in central Indiana I'll see what I can do.

10-20-2008 @ 1:58PM

James! said...

How and Why is this not front page news?

Extremely Baffled!

10-20-2008 @ 11:48PM

J. A. Hayes said...

Let me start out by saying I am a UM fan and don't really care which team won this game. But, after viewing these clips over and over, I am highly offended that a referee can get away with such a blatant, highly suspicious actions. Anyone who views these clips have to be offended with the referee's actions. The NCAA should seriously investigate this incident.

10-20-2008 @ 7:19PM

D Horton said...

Seeing this play live and watching it later on tape leaves me with the same reaction, he clearly intended to stop Garcia! He moved over in front of him for no apparent reason and then squared up on him and gave him a "forearm"Garcia I am sure will never forget! This play needs to be investigated without question. I am not saying this "umpires tackle" cost South Carolina the game, but it did cost them a promising result on the play. By the way, who gets credit for the tackle?

10-20-2008 @ 7:57PM

baby capone said...

if this makes front page how would that make ncaa look
come on you have millions of dollors of equipment that can penpoint a player in or out of bounds a nee down or a ? on the ball spot but they cant see a wide open ref tackle

10-20-2008 @ 8:36PM

tom said...

This is not funny! The official violated codes of professional conduct, and he was clearly trying to influence the outcome of the game. There has already been flagrant misconduct in the NBA, and now this. This really makes me wonder about horrible calls in any sport.
Did anyone check if the ref had bet money on LSU???

10-20-2008 @ 10:04PM

Manfred said...

My initial thought was that the ref was totally throwing the game, but I have seen multiple angles of it now, and it looks as though it could have been accidental. This is not to say there should not be an investigation by the NCAA, but I would hate for this guy to get strung up by everyone without a solid look in to it. It almost seemed as though Garcia juked and confused the heck out of the ref and he was trying to jump out of the way from one angle. Of course it also looks like he straight up hits him with a shoulder check. It made Garcia look kind of weak either way.

10-20-2008 @ 10:40PM

Richie said...

As someone who is not a fan of LSUs or SCs, I have too say it sure looks fishy too me. It might not be so bad had he not pursued him like a linebacker and then squared up on him too take, or give, the hit. I call shenanigans.

10-21-2008 @ 5:05PM

Joey said...

Y'all get a life. Its funny as crap. I bet the ref. made a mistake and is embarrased(QB should be) to say the least. They scored 2 plays later...the outcome would not have changed. Yes... I hate LSU and care nothing about SCsports...I wish my Vols could get a 12th player at times ....Its one of those opps momuments in life, EVERYBODY has. It will be on blooper films, forever our children will get to laugh!!!!!!!!!!

J>A HAYNES if that offends you so bad I bet your life sucks...LOL

10-21-2008 @ 10:29AM

And yes I meant momuments as an opps I can spell moments LOL This story is funny as all get out.

10-21-2008 @ 1:31AM

shawn said...

He played LB like Patrick Willis on that play. Are you serious?

10-21-2008 @ 5:07AM

All the people that stated this looks like an accident are apparently blind its plain as day that the ref intentionally got in the QB's way and tackled him, and anyone one would get knocked down if they werent expecting it, he's the damn ref what the hell.
finally thaat this guy should never be allowed to ref ever again.

10-21-2008 @ 9:48AM

scott said...

I am not a fan of either team BUT he moved with the runner and telegraphed his hit ,it was no accident .

10-21-2008 @ 11:04AM

Mike said...

Joey, We will see you in 2 weeks. Refs or not! We will send the Vols packing, just like everyone else has. What a sorry excuse for a fan, o'yea, you do pull for UT.

10-21-2008 @ 10:11PM

greg said...

You have really got to be kidding. I'm an LSU fan, but does anyone think that Garcia would not have been drilled, juust as he was, without the official "interference"? And did it have any real influence on the outcome of the game? Absolutely not! I am sick and tired of watching officials "pick" defenders on crossing routes and reviewing plays and still making the wrong decision after review. Officials at both the college level and pro levels are having a bad year, but this was a poor example of an infrequent mistake by a ref that was inconsequential. A better example would have been the 4th down td by SC when the helmet laid on the goalline and the ball on the chest. Reviewed, but not overturned. It tarnished a good game won by the obvious better team