Miami (Ohio) Punished for Deceptive Field Goal Scoreboard Graphic

WHO:

NBC Sports - Miami of Ohio and Ohio were the teams involved in the game.

NBC Sports - Miami head coach Chuck Martin said he did not know the video-board display could result in a penalty: “I didn’t even know there was such a thing.”

Fox News - Miami Ohio’s scoreboard operator was flagged for displaying a distracting image during a field-goal attempt.

Newsweek - Miami (Ohio) was penalized for displaying extra goalposts on its video board during a rival’s field-goal attempt.

WHAT:

NBC Sports - Miami was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after images of goalposts appeared on its video board as Ohio attempted a field goal.

NBC Sports - The referee announced: “On the previous play, there were depictions of the field goal uprights on the scoreboard. That is a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct against Miami. Half the distance to the goal, automatic first down.”

NBC Sports - Ohio accepted the penalty and attempted a touchdown on the next play with two seconds left in the half; Miami’s defense stopped the attempt.

NBC Sports - Miami won the game, 34-17. The penalty did not affect the final result, according to NBC Sports.

WHERE:

NBC Sports - The incident occurred during Miami’s game against Ohio, with the deceptive images displayed on Miami’s video board.

WHY:

NBC Sports - The images were displayed in the visiting kicker’s line of vision in an attempt to confuse the kicker.

HOW:

NBC Sports - The board showed depictions of goalposts behind the goalposts as Ohio lined up for its kick, creating a visual distraction.

NBC Sports - A former NFL analytics staffer publicized the Patriots’ longstanding use of a similar video-board tactic at the start of the season. The tactic was legal when the Patriots used it, but the NFL banned it shortly after it was revealed.

NBC Sports - The referee penalized Miami for the display, and Ohio received half the distance to the goal and an automatic first down.

Miami was penalized after its scoreboard showed extra goalposts during Ohio’s field-goal attempt. Ohio accepted an automatic first down, but Miami’s defense stopped its late touchdown try. Coach Chuck Martin said he didn’t know the display could draw a penalty; Miami won, 34 to 17.