BCS Championship Sound-Off: Should Michael Dyer Have Been Called Down?

Last night’s Tostitos BCS National Championship featured a crucial late fourth quarter run by Auburn running back Michael Dyer. Dyer took a first down hand-off off the right tackle to get brought “down” by safety Eddie Pleasant after only five yards. However, after hearing no whistles (and being told by his entire bench), Dyer continued to scamper down the field eventually gaining 37 yards before being tackled at the Oregon 23-yard line.

Upon review, the officials got the call correct; Dyer’s knee did in fact stay off the ground.

But I ask the B/R Nation:

Should the play have been called dead at the 45-yard line?

Not Dead

The obvious answer would appear to be “of course not, his knee didn’t touch the ground,” and that is a completely legitimate viewpoint. As the old adage goes, “You play to the whistle.” In this particular instance, there was no whistle when Dyer was dragged down by Pleasant.

Dead

However, if you watch the video, Dyer’s forward progress was stopped. Even Dyer himself thought he was down since when he gets up he, along with everyone else on the field, is about to go back to the huddle.

If another Duck had come in (before Dyer realized what was going on) and brought him down, the whole Tiger offense would have pounced on him for a “late hit.”

Does anyone think (for whatever reason) Michael Dyer should have been whistled down?