I re-watched the game today and a non call on the Gophers 1st play from scrimmage following the opening kickoff may have influenced Smith getting hurt.
The 1st 3 plays went like this:
Pass batted down on 1st play
1 yard run by Smith on 2nd play
Screen pass to Smith and resultant injury on 3rd and 9 play.
If you go back to play 1 and have the ability to view this play again, you will see Annexstad throw a (10 yard?) pass toward the right sideline that gets batted down by the defender. But you have to watch the REPLAY to see what I am talking about. In this view as the ball almost arrives, you will see our receiver get his head jerked violently about 90 degrees just before the defender bats down the pass. No call by the officials. If pass interference is called, the 2nd play is actually 1st and 10 and the play that Smith is hurt on is not 3rd and 9!
It is very likely that play selection for the 2nd and 3rd plays would have changed and Smith might still be healthy. Did anyone else notice this missed penalty?
The 1st 3 plays went like this:
Pass batted down on 1st play
1 yard run by Smith on 2nd play
Screen pass to Smith and resultant injury on 3rd and 9 play.
If you go back to play 1 and have the ability to view this play again, you will see Annexstad throw a (10 yard?) pass toward the right sideline that gets batted down by the defender. But you have to watch the REPLAY to see what I am talking about. In this view as the ball almost arrives, you will see our receiver get his head jerked violently about 90 degrees just before the defender bats down the pass. No call by the officials. If pass interference is called, the 2nd play is actually 1st and 10 and the play that Smith is hurt on is not 3rd and 9!
It is very likely that play selection for the 2nd and 3rd plays would have changed and Smith might still be healthy. Did anyone else notice this missed penalty?
