Football Zebras

After a week of major errors, SEC officials need a bounce-back week

by Mark Schultz - September 23, 2021September 23, 2021 2

Last week was a bad one for officials in the Southeastern Conference. The Penn State-Auburn crew dropped a down. An "inadvertent signal" by an official in the Mississippi State-Memphis made for a right-but-wrong call. https://twitter.com/SECOfficiating/status/1439402225311354883 And, instant replay reversed call (incomplete to catch), but the ball was spotted at the wrong 45-yard line in

Targeting fouls make an impact early in the college football season

by Football Zebras staff - September 23, 2021September 23, 2021 1

Targeting has been a major focus of media and fans in the first few weeks of the 2021 college football season. It sped to the forefront when four targeting fouls were confirmed during the Monday night contest between Ole Miss and Louisiana in Week 1. In the Week 2 matchup

Former college referee Mike Defee is the new Conference USA coordinator of officials

by Mark Schultz - April 19, 2021April 19, 2021 1

Mike Defee, a former Big 12 referee and current referee trainer for the NFL, is the new coordinator of football officials for Conference USA. Defee replaces Gerald Austin. Defee will retain his post as a trainer for referees and new NFL officials. Austin will continue to work with the conference

NFL announces closer officiating ties with select college conferences

by Mark Schultz - March 5, 2021March 6, 2021 1

The NFL announced Thursday that it is forming a closer officiating relationship with select college conferences to improve "the officiating pipeline." The goal is to share NFL mechanics, technology and resources with college partners, expand recruiting opportunities, provide more opportunities for women and minorities and strengthen officials' training. The Big Ten, Conference