CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina coach Larry Fedora earlier today defended freshman linebacker Shakeel Rashad, who collided with Duke receiver Conner Vernon on Saturday during the second quarter of the Blue Devils’ 33-30 victory.
With Duke leading 13-6 with about 10 minutes to play in the quarter, Rashad ran onto the field while the Duke offense lined up. Rashad collided with Vernon, the ACC’s all-time leader in receptions, and knocked him to the ground. Vernon left the game for one play.
The play has sparked some controversy, though it didn’t have an effect on the outcome of the game. After watching the play on film, Duke coach David Cutcliffe said he was “speechless” about it. Cutcliffe, according to our Duke beat reporter Laura Keeley, had this to say about Rashad’s collision with Vernon:
“It was full speed, and there was no intent to avoid. We were going to turn it in [to the league office] but we understand now that the conference office is looking at it, and I'll be interested to see what they say … People have seen it, you've seen it on television, I've just never seen anything quite like it. I was amazed when I saw that this morning. I don't know, I'm kind of speechless about it.
“I've never had that happen in my entire career. Very unusual.”
It was an unusual play, indeed. The question is whether Rashad went out of his way to run into Vernon.
Fedora on Monday dismissed that suggestion.
“First of all, you’ve got to know Rashad,” Fedora said. “He’s one of the nicest kids that we have on our football team and I can assure you there was no intention of harming the other player. Or actually, there was no intention on his part to actually even run into the player.”
Fedora said Rashad should have been on the field already, and was in “panic mode” trying to get onto the field in time. Fedora said, joking, that if Rashad had been more athletic he likely could have avoided Vernon.
“I promise [you], there was none of, ‘Hey, let me run into this guy and that will stop the play before it gets started,’” Fedora said. “There was no malice at all.”
Comments
There's no bias
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 09:01 — gvillegatrThe officials did not see the play. No five or fifteen yard penalty.
You can't make this stuff up!
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 17:45 — ah_seriouslySo, the receiver tried to trip the LB? I think Copula needs to lose posting rights for attempting to insult our intelligence. But, let's accept the theory that there was no malice (or even intent) - what does that have to do with anything? If the LB would have come from the defensive side of the ball to hit the receiver before the snap, would there not be a penalty? So how does running into him from behind make it okay? Come on people - your bias is showing.
Larry and Shakeel
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 15:56 — PhilHaleBoth disgrace NC (state and "school") and both MUST GO, NOW!!! Buy him out, shen him packing.
U*NX routinely gives
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 15:49 — ProwlingWoofieU*NX routinely gives scholarships to unathletic LB's, so I guess The Hat is right. Poor Shakeel is just a clutz. That's why he's playing in the second quarter of a rivalry (and divisional) game as a true freshman - because he's a clutz. But, he's the nicest clutz on the team !
Did Uncle Swoffy give you that answer, Larry ????
Dirty
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 14:20 — PackFan1980Carolina Class at its best.
watch the leg
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 13:39 — copulaWhy's everyone getting all crazy about this? Look closely at Conner Vernon's left leg as it goes backward just as Rashad is running behind him. An attempt to trip? That's what causes the contact.
Finally
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 20:27 — SurferSomebody else sees what I see. Conner's leg coming back tripping up Shakeel. I don't think it was intentional, just an accidental collision. Shakeel should not have been so close, but under duress to get on the field I guess it is understandable.
Normal Receiver Stance
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 15:55 — taternutsYou must not have played wide receiver or watched one before. All wide receivers line up with one leg back. Look at the other Duke receiver on the other side is lined up with their leg back. The NC wide receivers line up with a leg back. Conner never turned or saw the NC guy coming. He was just lining up.
yeah, im sure every WR looks
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 13:45 — dar456yeah, im sure every WR looks behind them for the LB (thats as far out of position as he could possibly be) prior to the snap. he should have never been on that side of the field to begin with.
Whether or not he was on the wrong side of the field
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 08:57 — gvillegatrThe notion is plausible as to why the interaction happened. Just not sure if I'm all in on it or not.
One things for sure, if you believe Rashard was 100% dirty you also have to believe Vernon played it to the hilt.
The leg does go waaaay back,
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 13:50 — copulaThe leg does go waaaay back, it leads to contact. It's clearly not intentional.
Then why does Rashad put his
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 17:38 — DurhamRichThen why does Rashad put his shoulder into him?
falling
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 20:24 — SurferBecause he is falling after tripping over Conner's leg. neither was intentional, just an accidental collision.
Why
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 23:47 — bstoneazBecause Rashad is taking a cheap shot at Vernon. Thank goodness the ACC made the call because UNC isn't keeping their players in check.
Blame the victim. Nice.
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 15:51 — richardfocBlame the victim. Nice. Typical response when you haven't a leg to stand on and the evidence is overwhelmingly against you.
looks like the rams club has
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 13:39 — dar456looks like the rams club has finally given Fedora his opinion on the cheap shot.
fact is, had Rashaad come on the field on his side of the ball this would have never happened. if he was late getting called to the field, or if hes too dumb to know what side he plays on thats Larrys fault.