I agree with Gallia as well. It makes me long for the days of coaches like Bear Bryant, who taught his players to help the opposing players up (then knock them down again on the next pay). Players should let their actions during the play do their talking, not after it.

Casper, I think you're right. Ohio's defense was tired at that point, and going for it was probably a better call at that l point.

Agree with Gallia and Casper here. This taunting crap is really getting out of hand. I hope that it is a point of emphasis next year for college officials. The only way to stop it is to flag it every time. As it is, the players kind figure out what the limit is, and they try to get as close to it as possible. To me any show of emotion after a play that is not directed either toward your own teammates as a celebration or just a happy fist pump or the like is over the top. I don't even like it when pass defenders give the "no way" sign after deflecting a pass, because it is directed at the opposition as a "put down" and not toward self or teammates as a happy celebration of something good that you did. It becomes laughable when the defensive guy gives this sign and then the ref calls pass interference on him. You see this happen all the time. I wouldn't be surprised if in borderline situations making this gesture gets a flag that might not otherwise be thrown. Officials are people too, and as objective as they try to be their subconscious minds work just like they do for all other humans and these below the level of consciousness thoughts do affect behavior.

Casper, I had the same thought at the time about going for the first down instead of the FG. With a first-down we would be able to milk a lot more time off the clock before either scoring a FG or a TD. Though, since we had just stuffed them for a safety, I think it looked like our D had some momentum. I do think we still might have won the game if Basham hadn't had that groin injury in the middle of the ASU drive. The announcers pointed out that on their big gainer on the next play ASU went right at Basham's replacement who did not contain the way Basham did. Without that big play, it's likely they don't get into FG territory.

In my opinion, this is NOT ONLY on the players. The coaching staff MUST demand more discipline from players and take some responsibility for the players actions. I know that is difficult nowadays but it is up to coaches not to accept that kind of crap. Too few coaches would sit a guy for a series or two because of these actions since winning is the all important thing now. Instead, it should be a life lesson!

OCF, we are showing our age and agreeing way too much:)

Merry Christmas to all...

Perimeter, my guess is we are of different generations. But, IF this really happened I am VERY DISAPPOINTED in our players and the coaching staff. The OHIO football "culture" MUST be better than that. The proper behavior is for players to play between the lines and let any and everything in the stands go. Those kinds of actions, if true. do not reflect well on the players, program or institution.

Besides that, we got our butts kicked in the first half and the players should have been thanking God for the score not acting childish to opposing fans. I hope the coaching staff addresses the players involved.

Grown adults are offended by this behavior regardless of the school. Those who haven't grown up yet simply dismiss such behavior.

OCF, I am not surprised we old guys agree on this one! We simply never played sports back in the day that way!! And, I have to admit, late hits, tons of penalties, etc. I have thought that for the last couple of years this staff has "control/"discipline" battles with players. And, it also shows in how many plays we do not EXECUTE well (like running lazy routes, blown assignments in the end zone, missed tackles, etc). These were "hallmarks" of FS teams. Not sure that is the case anymore. Then again, I am definitely not close enough to know just what the heck is going on but the last few years have definitely been different than the first few...

While I mostly agree with you on your point about too much grandstanding, I disagree on one point. The personal foul we got from the defensive back hitting the receiver after an incomplete pass (the one that was nearly called targeting), back in the "old days" that was not a late hit, and in fact, many/most coaches would demand the DB deliver that hit. "Make 'em pay" kind of thing.

In fact, that was the norm up until maybe five years ago or so. As I saw it (I was there so didn't see endless replays), the ball had barely touched the ground when the DB hit the receiver. And, the ball had passed by the opposing side of the receiver, so in theory, the DB couldn't be sure the receiver didn't catch the ball.

I'm on the side of all you folks who are ripping the taunting and associated idiotic behavior that goes on in football. Do the coaches

not have the balls to stop this stuff?

This might be a banner day on BA, we have essential agreement now from the likes of Jeff M. (the real one), L.C., Casper, RF, Alan, MJ and a few other unlikely allies. Now, if allen, Monroe and bshot44 would agree, we might be in BA Nirvana. Can the Apocalypse be far off? ;-)

If you watched the Giants/Panthers game,the answer is NO.

Odell Beckham had 3 unsportsman like conduct calls against him,including a "helmet to helmet" hit.

The Coach kept him in.

At the post game press conference he said something to the effect "what should I have done,sat our best receiver ?"

It's called showboating and grand standing and it's all about the individual player. That's why some on here had no use for a couple of recent basketball guards that we had. Old men tend to prefer an emphasis on team and the old Vince Lombardi quote (which for die hard Browns fans is hard to type) that when you go into the endzone, act like you've been there before. With all due respect, you'll understand that some day.