ARIZONA FOOTBALL

Arizona displeased with refs after Purdue’s fake kneel-down

Dec 28, 2017, 11:51 AM | Updated: 11:52 am

Arizona was still steaming after the game about Purdue’s fake kneel-down at end of the first half Wednesday in the Foster Farms Bowl.

The Boilermakers took over at their 32 with 56 seconds left after Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate lost a fumble.

Purdue appeared to be taking a knee on the play to run out the clock, but running back D.J. Knox was crouching hidden behind a guard. Quarterback Elijah Sindelar then handed the ball to Knox, who waited a second as the linemen stood and then ran around the left end for a 30-yard gain that helped set up the field goal.

“That was a little tricky play,” Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said. “What happens a lot of time on a kneel-down, when they get in a kneel-down formation, an official will tell the defense not to rush. They’re taking a knee, don’t rush, don’t him them.

“One of the officials told our guys, ‘They’re taking a knee, don’t rush. Just stand there.’ They complied with that. My argument would be, if it’s an official’s error, which in my opinion it was, it’s no play. Maybe I don’t know the rules. But if you comply with what the official does and it’s an official error because he told him not to move, correct it. That’s my opinion.”

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm successfully ran a similar play in the Boca Raton Bowl last year while he was coaching Western Kentucky.

“If the refs tells us it’s a kneel it’s really a dead play,” Arizona linebacker Tony Fields II said. “We can’t do anything as linebackers or DBs. They don’t even want us to rush the quarterback because that’s an injury prevention thing. They got us.”

Arizona Football

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates with Noah Fifita #11 after ca...

Arizona Sports

ESPN’s Rittenberg: Arizona Wildcats’ QB room ranks 10th in nation

Led by the final Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Noah Fifita, the Arizona Wildcats' quarterback room was ranked 10th in the nation.

12 days ago

Grand Canyon forward Duke Brennan...

Vincent DeAngelis

Duke Brennan uses inspiration from family and high motor to propel GCU basketball

Grand Canyon's Duke Brennan has strong Arizona connections and comes from a family of athletes in Colt and Brent Brennan.

20 days ago

Jordan Morgan...

Arizona Sports

Arizona OL, potential 1st-round pick Jordan Morgan shows off speed at NFL Draft Combine

Arizona left tackle Jordan Morgan had the opportunity to show off his speed and athleticism at the NFL Combine on Sunday.

25 days ago

Jacob Cowing...

Arizona Sports

Arizona’s Jacob Cowing shows off elite speed at NFL Scouting Combine

NFL Draft prospect Jacob Cowing from Arizona put up one of the fastest 40-yard dash times among wide receivers at the combine.

26 days ago

An empty podium is seen at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by...

David Veenstra

What to watch for: 2024 NFL Scouting Combine schedule, preview and more

The NFL Scouting Combine begins this week in Indianapolis. Here's a complete guide for college and professional fans across Arizona.

1 month ago

Quarterback Jayden de Laura #7 prepares for a game at Arizona Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Tucson...

Tom Kuebel

Former Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura declares for NFL Draft

Jayden de Laura declared for the NFL Draft and will forego his fifth season of college football eligibility.

1 month ago

Arizona displeased with refs after Purdue’s fake kneel-down