With the Miami Hurricanes trailing 17-14 late in the second quarter Head Coach Mark Richt was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct with the Badgers deep in the Miami red zone. Asked about what he was so hot about Richt told ESPN’s Molly McGrath “watch the tape”.
Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt grabbed an official twice after Wisconsin completed a pass to move from the Miami Hurricanes 31-yard line to their ten. Richt was incensed with the lack of holding calls being against the Badgers.
The irony is that an earlier holding call against Wisconsin was the first against a Miami opponent in multiple games. The call earlier in the game was only the sixth time that a Miami opponent had been called for holding this season. Part of Richt’s frustration had have built up over the course of the season.
The unsportsmanlike conduct call against Mark Richt only moved the ball five yards. The Badgers were already on the Miami ten yard line. The call against the Miami Hurricanes boss was only half the distance to the goal.
The Badgers scored on the next play. Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook hit Danny Davis for the second of three touchdowns that the duo connected for.
It was surprising to see the normally mild-mannered Richt bump into an official. During the Miami Hurricanes radio broadcast analyst Don Bailey Jr was asked by Play-by-Play man Don Bailey Jr if he had ever seen Richt that angry. Bailey answered yes about 40 years ago. Bailey played center at Miami when Richt was a quarterback in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Gif Courtesy of Yahoo
The Hurricanes were likely fortunate that Richt was not ejected. If he had been ejected Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz would likely have taken over Richt’s Head Coaching duties. Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown would have called the plays.
A Yahoo article cited the NCAA Rule about making contact with an official.
"“Per the NCAA rulebook ‘Persons subject to the rules (Rule 1-1-6) shall not intentionally contact a game official forcibly during the game.’ The penalty for violating the rule is as follows: “Unsportsmanlike conduct. Administer as a dead-ball foul. 15 yards from the succeeding spot and automatic disqualification. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules.”"
Yahoo posted a GIF of the missed holding call below.
Richt was was somewhat apologetic after the game but still extremely frustrated with the lack of calls against the Badgers.
"“I know I lost my cool…I thought rightfully so as far as being mad, but not with some of the language I used…It continued until the end of the game…I’m probably not supposed to say that.”"
Richt’s players reiterated their Head Coach’s assertion about the lack of holding calls all night. Junior defensive tackle Kendrick Norton spoke about the impact the referees had on the game.
"“That played a big part [in the Orange Bowl]…Those downfield passes, they take a long time to develop, so if you’re holding somebody off the edge, that has a big impact on the play.”"
Norton’s partner on the inside of the defensive line R.J. McIntosh knows the outburst from Richt was extremely out of character.
"“He rarely does that, so it has to be something serious, something that should have been called…That right there should tell you.”"
There has been no word yet from the Atlantic Coast Conference if any further action will be taken against Richt for the outburst. He likely gained a ton of confidence from his players for sticking up for them. That will go a long way into the offseason.
The lack of holding calls against Miami opponents all year was troubling. Less than a holding call every other game is bizarre.
Next: Malik Rosier sets Miami Hurricanes touchdown record
The Orange Bowl used an SEC officiating crew. The ACC cannot do anything about that, but Miami can send video to the NCAA organizer of officials. They can also discuss with the ACC Head of Officiating what happened during the rest of the season.