Mixed Views on Center Interference

When Stanford’s Donnie Spragan smashed into UCLA long-snapper Mark Weisman on a punt Saturday, the Cardinal was called for center interference, a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down. Instead of Stanford having the ball on its 43-yard line, the Bruins had first down on their own 24. Shortly thereafter, Cade McNown hit Rodney Lee on a 73-yard pass play to the Stanford one, from where Skip Hicks gave UCLA a 14-0 lead.

“I’ve been smashed harder than that this year and haven’t been called,” Weisman said. “When the ref set the ball, he said to stay off the center. He told No. 2 [Spragan] that. It’s a great rule.”

It’s a rule that is in only its second season, designed to protect the center, who is extremely vulnerable on the play. Replays indicated that Spragan, who was playing to Weisman’s left over the guard, gave the center the required one second before letting go.

But Spragan disagreed with Weisman.

“It was a good call,” Spragan said. “I didn’t give him enough time. From now on, I will.”

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Stanford, loser of three games in a row, is still looking toward a bowl bid. It has games against USC, Washington State and California, and the Cardinal could be favored over USC and California. Victories in both would give Stanford a 6-5 record, and the Las Vegas Bowl, which has severed ties with the Big West, is expected to invite a Pacific 10 team.

The Las Vegas Bowl would stand in line behind the Rose, Cotton or Holiday, Sun and Aloha for its Pac-10 team.

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NEXT UP FOR UCLA

WHO: Washington

WHERE: Nov. 15, Rose Bowl

TIME: TBA

TV: TBA

RADIO: XTRA (690, 1150)