USC’s first TD against Stanford will be a source of controversy – again
When the dust settles after Saturday's USC-Stanford game, there will be a little bit of controversy.
As running back Silas Redd was trying to score from the 1 1/2 —yard line during the Trojans first touchdown, he was stuffed until offensive tackle Aundrey Walker wrapped his arms around him and lifted him over the goal line.
While that sounds like an innovative effort play, it's also illegal according to the NCAA rules.
Rule 9, Section 3, Article 2B of the NCAA rulebooks states: "The runner shall not grasp a teammate; and no other player of his team shall grasp, push, lift or charge into him to assist him in forward progress."
As we can see in the video (thanks to throwtheflagblog.com), Walker clearly pulls Redd into the end zone with a bear hug.
The Trojans should have been assessed a 5-yard penalty. Whether they would have ultimately scored is neither here nor there.
But this isn't the first time USC has found itself violating this rule. Against Notre Dame in 2005, the infamous "Bush Push" play saw running back Reggie Bush push quarterback Matt Leinart into the end zone with 3 seconds remaining to give the Trojans a 34-31 win.
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