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McKenzie Said Official's Call Was Wrong

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 25, 2007

TAMPA - University of South Florida linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, who was penalized at Rutgers last week for an illegal forward pass on a controversial play that cost USF a touchdown, said he did not intentionally throw the football forward.

''I was trying to pick it up and score,'' McKenzie said. ''There's no way I was trying to throw it forward.

''You want me to give up the glory of scoring a touchdown?'' he joked.

With USF leading Rutgers 17-10 in the second quarter, McKenzie blocked Jeremy Ito's 48-yard field-goal attempt. USF cornerback Mike Jenkins tried to pick up the ball, but he knocked it forward about 10 yards. McKenzie then scooped it up and knocked the ball forward 15 yards where cornerback Trae Williams returned it 25 yards for an apparent touchdown.

The play was ruled a touchdown on the field, but the play was reviewed. After the review, the replay official ruled McKenzie committed an illegal forward pass and USF was assessed a 5-yard penalty.

After the penalty, USF took over at Rutgers' 44, but Delbert Alvarado missed a 45-yard field goal. The Bulls lost 30-27, dropping them from No. 2 to No. 10 in the BCS rankings.

Williams also said McKenzie didn't intentionally throw the ball forward.

''He had no idea I was behind him, who was he throwing it to?'' Williams said. ''They made the call. We have to live with it. It's over with.''

USF coach Jim Leavitt said Tuesday he wanted clarification on that play and others in the Bulls' loss.

''There's some discussion on our end that's still going on, so that's why I don't know how much I want to get into it,'' Leavitt said. ''Things that I want to find out the truth.

''I think replay is good, I really do. I want to understand exactly what you can and cannot replay. I am still a firm believer in replay, to get calls right, to get calls correct.

''But there's no doubt I see things in a different way right now and I'm still pursuing some things and clarifying certain things on why this is done.''

Big East associate commissioner John Paquette wouldn't confirm if Leavitt or USF had contacted the league office for clarification on the penalties, but if so, the league won't comment publicly about them.

Wednesday, Leavitt said he's ready to put it behind him.

''I'm moving forward, I'm not going to address that anymore,'' Leavitt said. ''There's no question, I was in the right. People have made that clear to me. There were three things I had every right to get upset about, but it's not going to do anyone any good now.

''The game's over.''

Jenkins, the first player with an opportunity to recover the blocked kick, said he never had control.

''I really never had control of the ball when I got tackled,'' Jenkins said.

Ironically, Jenkins said he still hasn't seen a replay of the play.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

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