Disputed calls in Florida State-Florida game

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- A list of disputed calls that went against Florida in its 38-34 loss to Florida State on Saturday:

Opening kickoff

What: Florida State returner Antonio Cromartie fumbles and Florida recovers at the FSU 30. Officials rule Cromartie was down.

Result: Florida State retains possession and goes on to punt.

About 11 minutes left in first quarter

What: Florida State receiver Chris Davis is tackled at the FSU 46 on a reverse. Ball pops loose and is scooped up by Florida defender, who is running and in the clear. Officials rule Davis was down.

Result: Same drive as opening kickoff. Florida State goes on to punt.

Middle first quarter

What: After a Florida field goal, Cromartie muffs kickoff, which is recovered by Florida at the FSU 11. Officials rule Gators were offsides.

Result: Re-kick.

Six plays after the re-kick.

What: Florida defender puts big hit on Davis that jars ball loose at around the Florida 40. Florida defender recovers fumble and is running in open field for return. Officials rule the pass incomplete. Replays of the bang-bang play show Davis in firm control of the ball with two feet down before the hit.

Result: Florida State retains possession; Florida defensive lineman Mo Mitchell penalized 15 yards for a late hit he delivered thinking the ball was live when his teammate scooped it up. Two plays later, FSU scores to go ahead 7-3.

Late third quarter

What: Florida's Ciatrick Fason runs up the middle and fumbles. Ball is recovered by Pat Watkins, who goes 25 yards for a touchdown. Fason signals to indicate he was down before ball came out and replays appear to support his claim.

Result: Touchdown stands; Florida State ties game at 24.

Middle fourth quarter

What: Florida State tailback Leon Washington fumbles at Florida 2-yard line. Florida linebacker Channing Crowder comes out of the pile with the ball, but officials say Washington recovered. Replay shows Washington on the ground, with his back pinning the ball to the turf, but doesn't show the tailback with clear possession.

Result: Crowder penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for spiking the ball in frustration. Florida coach Ron Zook meets him on field, spikes his headset down and chastises him. Seminoles get first-and-goal from the 1. Four plays later, they score for a 31-27 lead.

Zook says: "If we had made plays we needed to make, none of the other things would have mattered. I hate that it comes down to that, but in a big game, you've got to make plays."

Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley says: "What can you do? The Zooker made the comment to the team. He said, 'It's a man's game and you've got to take it like a man."'

ACC director of officials Tommy Hunt says: "Everybody's a fan. Officials have the job of going onto the field and performing to their best. Being impartial. Being fair. Making sure one team doesn't take advantage of the rules at the expense of the other team. I'm not saying we don't miss calls, because we do."

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2003, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved