Question
Late in the Saskatchewan at Winnipeg game Michael Bishop tried a QB sneak on third down with less than a yard to go.
On the play, there was a late flag for procedure against Saskatchewan and then the replay booth asked the referee to review the play.
I thought you couldn’t review a penalty. What happened here?
Answer
On the play Saskatchewan lined up with # 52 at end, but he failed to report to the referee, making it an illegal Saskatchewan formation.
The replay review was to verify the spot Bishop rushed to – whether it was going to be a first down or not. If he had not gained the yardage for a first down, then Winnipeg could decline the penalty and take over the ball on downs.
However, Bishop had made a first down, so the 5-yard penalty was applied and the 3rd down repeated. The referee was reviewing the spot, not the foul.
Tom Higgins is the CFL’s Director of Officiating. Prior to joining the Canadian Football League office, Higgins spent more than 25 years as a player, coach and personnel director.
