Second Thoughts

Don't bet on fans missing Wagers much

Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon of Strong is listed as one of the top 25 running backs returning this season, according to the Sports on Earth website.
Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon of Strong is listed as one of the top 25 running backs returning this season, according to the Sports on Earth website.

Referees are universally disliked by fans, and when it comes to the SEC, perhaps none drew more ire than veteran head official Penn Wagers.

Well, there is a reason to rejoice this Memorial Day weekend. Wagers and fellow SEC referee Matt Moore have decided to retire, according to league communications director Chuck Dunlap.

Here are three examples of why Wagers is disliked:

• In 2007, he was the man in charge when the defending national champion Florida Gators were embarrassed early in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party after the Georgia Bulldogs emptied their bench following the first score of the game. The total penalty assessed? Two unsportsmanlike conducts, resulting in a deep kickoff. Florida never recovered, and Georgia won in a rout.

• In 2013, Wagers assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Georgia Coach Mark Richt. Instead of walking away from a confrontation with Richt, Wagers stepped to him. Richt turned away to avoid the penalty and to speak with another official. Wager's response? The only unsportsmanlike conduct flag of Richt's 14-year career with the Bulldogs.

• In 2014, Wagers messed up the end of Alabama's 14-13 victory against Arkansas. After Crimson Tide guard Arie Kouandijio was called for a false start on third and 2 with 1:01 remaining, Wagers reset and ran the game clock immediately rather than, as rules dictate, waiting for the ball to be snapped. The Razorbacks came up with a third-down stop but saw the remaining time tick away. Had Wagers followed the rule book -- the SEC admitted that he did not -- Arkansas would have had at least had one additional play (whether a punt return or chance for a turnover) in its bid for an upset over the top team in the nation at the time. Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema also expressed his displeasure over not getting a crucial timeout called before the Tide's game-winning touchdown.

Ranking runners

Football may be moving more and more toward the passing game, but last year still saw 57 college players run for more than 1,000 yards during the season.

Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon and Indiana's Tevin Coleman both ran for more than 2,000 yards, and there were 21 performances with at least 250 rushing yards by a player in a game.

Sports on Earth recently broke down the top 25 running backs heading into the 2015 season.

Included were:

• No. 23. Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech. Dixon (Strong) adjusted nicely to the transition from Sonny Dykes to Skip Holtz in 2013 after Dykes took the Cal job. Dixon ran for 917 yards in Holtz's first season, although he scored four touchdowns. Last year, he made up for it, rushing 253 times for 1,299 yards and 22 touchdowns and catching 30 passes for 385 yards and 6 touchdowns as a junior.

• No. 16. Alex Collins, Arkansas, and No. 15. Jonathan Williams, Arkansas. Bret Bielema has been perfect for Collins and Williams, who have been the focal point of the offense behind a physical offensive line. Collins, a 215-pound junior, ran 204 times for 1,100 yards last season. Williams, a 223-pound senior, ran 211 times for 1,190 yards. Both ran for 12 touchdowns behind a massive offensive line.

Sports on Earth ranked Georgia sophomore Nick Chubb its No. 1 running back for 2015.

QUIZ

How many yards did Georgia's Nick Chubb rush for during his freshman season?

ANSWER

1,547

Sports on 05/23/2015

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