COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Carr say Gonzalez’s catch shouldn’t have counted
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
NEAL C . LAURON | DISPATCH
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr has found something to complain about after two straight losses to Ohio State.
This year’s Lloyd Carr moment comes with a disclaimer:
While disputing the catch Ohio State receiver Anthony Gonzalez made to set up the winning touchdown in OSU’s 25-21 victory Saturday, the Michigan coach is not — repeat, not — saying his team would have won if the call went his way.
Carr is, however, upset that Gonzalez went out of bounds and came back in to make the 26-yard grab. He doesn’t buy the explanation that Gonzalez was forced out of bounds by Wolverines defensive back Grant Mason.
"The rule says the receiver must be blocked out of bounds," in order for the catch to be allowed, Carr said yesterday. "Grant Mason was playing man-to-man and turned back to the ball. He did not block (Gonzalez) out, that’s clear."
Last season, Carr was mad about being stopped and subjected to a security screening with bomb-sniffing dogs outside Ohio Stadium. In his Monday press conference after a 37-21 loss, he made an issue of it.
His gripe yesterday didn’t rise to that level, but it did consume several minutes.
"I thought we got a terrible break there when the receiver ran out of bounds, because I thought that ball should come back," Carr said.
Gonzalez’s catch took the ball from the Michigan 30 to the 4. After the play, he said he ran to the official and told him he was pushed out of bounds, and the official assured him, "You’re OK. You’re OK. Don’t worry about it."
Two plays later, Antonio Pittman ran in for a touchdown and the win.
If the Gonzalez call had gone Carr’s way, "That’s not to say they’re not going to kick a field goal or hit their next pass," he said. "I’m just saying that was a big play. That’s all I’m saying."
Until next year?
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