Part 4/6:
With any contentious play, the input of the referees carries significant weight. Matt Austin, a rules official, provided an analysis of the push from Vanderbilt’s player on the return. His viewpoint illustrated the subjective nature of such decisions, emphasizing the blurred lines when it comes to contact during punt returns.
Austin acknowledged that although there was contact, it did not drastically alter the direction of the play. He subtly indicated that the referees could have stuck with a call for kick catch interference instead.