Dan Lanning Knew the Rules Better Than the Refs

[saevel25]

I call this diabolically genius, or just stupid if the refs called it right. 

In the 2nd to last play of the OSU v Oregon game. Oregon, purposely put 12-men on the field because of the following. 

1) It is called a 5-yard penalty 99.999999999999% of the time. I am not sure it has been called anything else in the history of college football. 
2) It is a live ball foul, so the clock starts on the ref. 

He did this to waste time. He knew 5-yards meant nothing towards a field goal, and it would waste something like 5-6 seconds by the time the previous play is over, and OSU snaps the ball next. 

We all know proving intent is nearly impossible. 

There is a rule under unsportsmanlike conduct, 

"No substitute(s) may enter the field of play or end zones for purposes other than replacing a player(s) or to fill a player vacancy(ies). This includes demonstrations after any play"

Now, he will always tell the ref it as an illegal substitution. If done on purpose, is not an illegal substitution, but unsportsmanlike conduct. 

A kick in the teeth for OSU fans is, Ryan Day could have called time out and gotten the time out back. 

"When the deep officials count 12 Team B players, both teams are in formation, no Team B player is attempting to leave the field and the snap is imminent, (a) the crew will offer Team A their time out back and penalize Team B for a substitution foul."

What Day should have done is just called a time out and took the free yardage. 

To give him credit, in a game where you are up by one, the other team is driving, you pull this stunt. You are banking on the opposing coach either not to know, or at least not remember in the moment that you can call a time out with 12 men on the field and retain your time out. 

[saevel25]

Looks like NCAA might be looking into issuing an in-season interpretation of the rule and possible official change of the rule for next year. 

NCAA Considering Rule Change After Oregon Intentionally Put 12th Defender On Field Against Ohio State

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The NCAA is reportedly considering in-season action to change how it officiates a defense putting an extra defender on the field after Oregon...

Oregon's only chance to do this might have been this one time.