Walk into the damn ocean.

At the next defensive third down, oldkatz should get on the mic and belt out "Get disconcerted Cat fans!"

Actually this "disconcertion" a real penalty. It's been in the books for years, was rarely called until this year. This is at least the third or fourth time I've seen it called in a game I was watching. I think that this was the first time that I've seen it in a game that I was personally attending. On one of the TV games where I saw it called, the announcers said that it was a "point of emphasis" for officials this year, so be prepared to see it again this year. Hopefully, not against the Bobcats!

This is not in the category of a safety on the four-yard line!

I've seen this called from time to time over the years and it has typically been a defensive lineman or linebacker shouting snap counts.

If what was called on us last night was due to the above head signaling and clapping by the back seven and sideline, though, we had done that other times during the game without a penalty being assessed. Could the officials have warned our defensive captains or sideline about it before assessing a penalty?

Unrelated note, but I was impressed with the noise from the stands on the visiting side of the stadium and the OU/Oh Yeah chants started over there. It dropped off a bit after the tuition announcement, but was still noticeable. I was sitting with Deciduous Forest Cat last night and he said he thought actual attendance was better than the NIU home game, which we missed due to a family commitment that day. Last night reminded me a bit of some of the late season games with Temple in terms of atmosphere.

It was called against Thompson. He had his body turned toward the safety and clapped to get his attention. I understand the rule's importance, but this seemed like a clear misapplication.

It would be as if someone playing against Peyton Manning tried to get the attention of his teammate Ron Omaha by yelling “Omaha Omaha” and gets called. More disturbing than the call was the cringe-worthy over the top apology 10 minutes later by the announcers for originally calling out the bad call. Obviously someone higher up scolded them. guess you can call out a coach for a bad decision. a player for a poor decision or bad execution but God forbid you criticize a ref’s call.

Saw it called in a Freshman game this season. Kids don’t even realize they can’t do it. It’s the only time I have ever seen it called.

It’s one of those things that’s only called when the offensive team jumps. That’s probably why it’s rare, because teams rarely jump when an opposing linebacker claps. Also, in rules like this, intent doesn’t matter. A player could be signaling a teammate, mimicking the QB, celebrating a good grade on his exam…doesn’t matter.

This is an idea.