Message to Iowa Hawkeye Readers

Here is why the so-called "controversial" call was not really a controversy. Under no circumstances would Iowa have been found to be in possession of the football fumbled by PJ Hill.

Rule of Football regarding Inadvertent Whistle:

"The nearest official typically blows his whistle after the ball becomes dead to alert the players

that the play is over. If the ball is alive and the official sounds an inadvertent whistle, then the ball still becomes dead, but the team in possession of the ball may elect to have the down replayed or take the spot where the ball was declared dead. If the ball was loose from a fumble, then the ball can be put into play at the spot of the fumble. If the ball was in flight from a kick or a pass, then the down is always replayed." (Source: The Rules of Football on Wikipedia)

In other words, when there is an inadvertant whistle while there is still a live ball, the play is over and it reverts to the moment of last possession. That was when PJ Hill fumbled on the 3 yard line. The only controversy is the fact that there is an inadvertent whistle in the first place. If there had been no whistle, the ball was recovered by Wisconsin in the endzone and the result of the play is a Wisconsin touchdown. Even Iowa coach Ferentz agreed with the ultimate ruling. At least he knows the rule.

Message to Kirk Herbstreit - "learn the rules of you are going to announce games!" We know you are still upset about the fact that you didn't get to go to the Rose Bowl in 1993 but get over it . . . you lost to Michigan.