CHAPEL HILL — The ACC has issued a one-game suspension to North Carolina freshman linebacker Shakeel Rashad as punishment for his pre-snap collision with Duke wide receiver Conner Vernon during the second quarter of the Blue Devils’ 33-30 victory on Saturday.
With about 10 minutes to play in the second quarter and Duke leading 13-6, Rashad ran from the sideline onto the field, where he collided with Vernon, the Blue Devils’ senior receiver, and knocked him to the ground. Vernon remained down for several moments but walked off the field unassisted and missed one play.
The ACC’s statement on Monday that announced Rashad’s suspension described it as a “dangerous collision.”
The league also suspended for one game a pair of officials who worked the game on Saturday. Tyrone Davis, the head linesman, and Angie Bartis, a side judge, were suspended for one game for what the ACC described as a “failure to adhere to correct mechanics of the game and rules related to player safety.”
Though Rashad clearly ran into Vernon, UNC wasn’t called for a penalty on the play.
Earlier on Monday, Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora defended Rashad and said the collision had been unintentional.
“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.”
Not long after Rashad collided with Vernon, Duke center Brian Moore engaged UNC defensive tackle Tim Jackson away from the play. Moore stood Jackson up, and then hit the ground and rolled through Jackson’s legs. Jackson suffered an injury on the play and Fedora said he’d miss two or three weeks.
“It’s unfortunate because it was away from the play,” Fedora said of the play involving Moore and Jackson. “I’m sure that the guy had no intention to harm him, either. But as the play was ending he ended up cutting a guy, and it’s put him out for two or three weeks.”
Jabari Price, the UNC junior cornerback, was less diplomatic when asked about the play.
Said Price: “I feel like it was a nasty play and I feel like something needs to be done.”
“I didn’t even get a chance to see that play until this morning on YouTube,” Price said. “And I haven’t talked to Tim yet, but I hope he bounces back. He’s a big part of our defensive line and it showed once we couldn’t stop the run.”
In statements that UNC released after the ACC announced Rashad’s suspension, Fedora, Rashad and Bubba Cunningham, the UNC athletic director, all expressed relief that Vernon wasn’t injured when Rashad ran into him.
Cunningham, though, also criticized the ACC for suspending Rashad.
“I spoke to Shakeel in the locker room after the game and he was obviously upset about making contact, but insisted that it unintentional and a result of rushing to get on the field as quickly he could,” Cunningham said. “We are disappointed with the decision to suspend him for a game. I don't understand how the conference can suspend a player who was involved in such an unusual play without speaking to him.”
Comments
Bad behavior
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 14:22 — vendetta"Rashad RAN from the SIDELINES" and into Vernon.
Accidental? I seriously doubt it.
The Refs should have handled the situation better
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 11:01 — HeelsYeah84These things do happen in the heat of the rivalry games....
See past UNC vs Dook basketball matchups, bloody noses, etc....
However, the refs should have originally handled the situation better.
If they felt like the UNC player was out of line, they should have thrown him out of the game. The same goes with the Dook player's obvious retaliation which should have resulted in an ejection.
Obviously why the refs are suspended also.
Move on, go Heels! Beat the Aggies this weekend!!!
"beat the aggies"
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 13:40 — gvillegatrThat was great. One of the handful of times I will literally LOL this year. Appreciate it!!
Stupidity should be punished
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 10:46 — shehawk07Regardless of if it was intentional or not, suspension is the right move. If they even had to question the validity of the hit then punishment is neccesary. But if the other hit was questionable then he too should be punished, especially since a legit injury resulted. Allowing one "cheap hit" to be forgiven while the other was punished send the wrong message to the players and the fans alike. And of course Fedora would defend his player, what coach wouldn't! No coach would ever say "Yep he's a a**hole and ran him right over, he meant to hit him harder but he missed his mark."
Growing up in ACC country as a Carolina fan, I don't ever remember Duke or State fans ever being as nasty as they have been the past few years. I really hope this phase ends shortly because all of those rivalries are what made living in North Carolina so fun, the mutual respect for each others programs while having good natured arguements during gametime. It really is a shame we can't get that mentality back.
Mutual Respect
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 11:51 — ashleyashtonUNC-CH must earn their respect back from NCSU and Duke, as well as the entire athletic community. Until an INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION has been conducted at UNC and has rooted out the massive cheating that has taken place, until UNC stops the stonewalling and covering-up and acknowledges these transgressions, and until absolute proof has been provided by credible, independent sources that the cheating has stopped and changes have been implemented to prevent future cheating, you will not be respected. Things are going to stay nasty until UNC-CH comes clean.
TEEHEE
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 09:27 — nchurricanesWow, I can understand being upset about Vernon getting knocked down. But, yeah, he came back and played. No worse for wear. I liked his Drama 101, acting like he'd been shot and then getting right back in the game.
Meanwhile there was at least as dirty of a hit going on almost immediately thereafter that actually injured a player and that's perfectly fine. AND the Carolina haters want to be apologists for that one. Pathetic.
I watched the game with a handful of State fans who laughed at both; who thought both were intentional and felt Duke got the better end of the deal. However, they're also rational thinkers, not the crazy conspiracy theorists, so ...
Carolina Way Euphemism
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 09:13 — Montanan"Colliding with"? Now, that's a euphemism that only some Carolina Way robot would invent. Why not "Mistakes happen"?
Coach Fedora should have instructed Rashad to "run where the Afro African American classes meet." That way Rashad would not have run into anyone at all.
BTW, was Rashad admitted as a Carolina Way academic exception? If so, that would explain his inability to understand Coach Fedora's instruction.
Unbelievable!
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 08:50 — Pack02It is sometimes amazing the lengths of what a fan base will go to to defend such actions as what I saw on tape. I am sure Carolina fans are going to support their player and Coach and Duke Fans are going to support the ACC's decision to suspend him for what had to be the dumbest move by a player I have ever seen whether intentional or unintentional. The lack of remorse when the game was obviously stopped for the injured player is what sticks out the most in this instance. I have unintentionally run into people myself not paying attention whether engaged in conversation or distracted by some other reason and have never reacted with the lack of concern as this player did that night. He would be suited up this week had he knelt down or showed good sportmanship as shaking Vernon's hand or slapping the back of his helmet like football players do when they show respect for their opponent when Vernon rose and left the field. He chose to do neither which cannot be defended days later. Carolina Fans, your player was stupid in his actions during and after the altercation and for that he is being punished. Deal with it and MOVE ON!
remorse
Wed, 10/24/2012 - 12:01 — SurferIt is there, you just missed it.
Where to start breaking down this post
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 10:03 — gvillegatrThe lengths a fan base will go to defend such actions - I've seen one, maybe two guys, defend Rashard 100%. That is hardly a fan base.
The lack of remorse at the time Vernon was down on the ground - Vernon was surrounded by doctors and coaches like the Secret Service was around Reagan after he had gotten shot. He was untouchable. Who knows what was said after that while the game played on?
I have unintentionally run into people ... - myself included, but it didn't happen in a regulated setting. It happened in every day settings. Your point here is hollow and has zero basis.
He would be suited up if he had basically shown remorse and cannot be defended days later. - he apologized that evening after the game.
State fans, your bias and hate always seem to get into the way of rationalization when it comes to anything UNC related. You deal with it and MOVE ON!
So a handshake or some type
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 15:11 — Pack02So a handshake or some type of acknowlegement is too much for a Carolina Player to lower himself too. You call that Hollow....How stupid can you be.
Can dish it out but can't
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 15:08 — Pack02Can dish it out but can't take it can you? Your whole athletic program is a fraud...from academics to play on the field and your arrogance shows that you and your school are willing to win no matter what the cost including academic fraud or in this case attempting to take out one of Duke"s primary weapons. You are a pathetic excuse for a fan in my opinion and most on this site.
Unbelievable
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 21:06 — gvillegatrWhere in my post did I condone what Rashad did? I'm merely calling out your biased and unintelligent post.
There you go again with your
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 12:35 — hdog007There you go again with your NC State obsession. Walmart fans remember: Duke is your rival.
Says the guy
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 13:43 — gvillegatr... Who is a state fan, but, yet has a picture of the x director of the AFAM department as his avatar. Who has the obsession again?
Really?
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 09:18 — nchurricanesIf that's the dumbest move by a player that you've ever seen, you haven't been watching sports for very long.
Dumbest I"ve seen where the
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 15:13 — Pack02Dumbest I"ve seen where the play is not actually in progress
Thug life!
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 06:43 — weslorocksThug life!
Video evidence .....
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 00:44 — InspectorPittI watched videos of both of the plays involved the various players.
It seemed obvious to me that Shakeel Rashad intentionally lowered his shoulder on Conner Vernon and blindsided him.
In play that injured the UNC player it was obvious to me that the Carolina player swing his arm dislodging the Duke player causing him to fall to the ground and the UNC player fell backwards over him. Not a cut block by any means!
shoulder
Wed, 10/24/2012 - 11:59 — SurferYes he lowered his shoulder after tripping up on Conner's left leg. Shakeel was too close, Conner's left leg came back at the last second. Their legs were the initial point of contact it was all accidental. This is the most sickening case of injustice I have ever seen.
Surfer
Wed, 10/24/2012 - 12:56 — gvillegatrYou are taking an unSurfer like approach to the Wuffies than you normally do replying to every idiot on here. I feel like I have lost my job! :-)
Haha
Wed, 10/24/2012 - 14:53 — SurferI know.... I got a little carried away. I guess I should just let idiots be idiots, or just leave the job of informing them up to you. You do it much better anyway.
Good stuff
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 08:49 — gvillegatrVery creative imagination on Tim Jackson falling backwards over the alleged cut blocker.
Look at the replay carefully
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 23:41 — ClifftopperHe did not intentionally run into Vernon.
http://capitalsportsnc.com/?p=4526
I suggest a non-biased
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 12:54 — hdog007I suggest a non-biased source, like the actual video. I even cued up the relevant scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6D1ztH2Im4#t=00m43s
Malice of # 42 of UNC
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 23:13 — wtlattimoreIf there was truly no malice in the blind side hit on Conner, then why did the offender not demonstrate any remorse for his actions immediately after the fact. Shakeel either needs his eyes examined or should be suspended for at least one game for a blind side hit while the game was not in play.
Dirty play by UNC # 42
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 22:34 — wtlattimoreNo execuse. The guy ran Conner over. Has anyone ever seen this happen ever at any level of football. There is no excuse that the officials over looked this terrible action. Once the officials over look such an atrocity, they lose control of the game. The outrage expressed by the UNC player and coach is ridiculous. If you can not control your players then just shut up!
NCAA Second Phase Punishment
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 22:17 — nctravellinmanNCAA: "After reading all the N&O / PackPride / SBI information, we've decided to come back to administer additional punishment."
Swofford: "Yeah, we suspended Rashad for a game. Threw in a couple of referee reprimands for good measure."
NCAA: "Okay. Where we going for lunch?"
Lunch
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 22:26 — gvillegatrO'Henry
Bubba Cunningham Is A Joke of An AD
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 21:25 — MmtumeHow can someone in good conscious defend Rashad egregious act and for Bubba to criticize the ACC for the suspension is ludicrous. This goes to the heart of the problems at UNC--an institution that is completely out of control. The hit on Rashad was so blatant, one could reasonably assume that the Heels put out a "hit" on Vernon. For good ole Bubba to criticize the ACC for suspension of Raashad shows how out of touch with reality he is. Fedora for his defense of Rashad is Dumb and good ole Budda is even Dumber. This same kind of greed, avarice and contempt for established rules and regulations is why the Heels are in this story state.
Reality
Wed, 10/24/2012 - 12:06 — SurferI suggest that you enter that into your navigation system, dude. And perhaps look closely at the video after you get there.
Open season on UNC, huh?
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 11:25 — ClifftopperThe ABC crowd is in high gear. Please look at the replay and instead of focusing on the shoulder supposedly being lowered, check out Vernon's foot and leg. Vernon, not knowing Rashad was coming, put his foot and leg back to get into his stance for the play. Rashad, not knowing Vernon was going to stick his leg back, ran into his leg at that very moment, he lost his balance a bit - causing him to bend down a bit. The collision with the leg happened before any other contact.
Rashad was running too close to Vernon but it was an accident people.
Cunningham was right - the ACC should spoken to Rashad before suspending him.
Finally
Wed, 10/24/2012 - 12:05 — SurferAgree. Looks like me and you, and maybe one other, are the only ones that actually looked closely at the video.
Good for the ACC. Shocked
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 21:08 — ProwlingWoofieGood for the ACC. Shocked beyond belief that they actually took this action, but glad to see them do so. Hoping Fedora does a little soul-searching about what he's teaching those guys over there... No way does a true freshman reserve LB blindside the other team's best offensive weapon of his own volition. Be real Heel fans - don't act as stupid as your coach and AD, please.
And the high five at the line...
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 20:53 — atravelorSo when Rashad high fived the player next to him as Vernon left the game.... that was also unintentional. Good grief... is this really what Carolina sports is all about. We have the lying, the fake classes, and now cheap hits, and still the coach thinks his player did nothing. Looks like Carolina athletics still doesn't get it.
It was caught on camera.... it was right there for all to see.... except for Carolina staff who still choose to live in their own reality.
Suspend both if you're going to suspend anyone
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 20:49 — tmbmustang71So let me get this straight. The player who runs into another player running onto the field and hurts him so badly that he misses an entire play gets suspended for a game, and the player who intentionally cut-blocked a player from behind that injured that player gets no penalty and no suspension. There's no room for actions like these in the game of football. Please tell me how you suspend one and not the other. If you want to set a precedent, suspend both. I would say that whomever leveled the punishment on Rashad must think that deliberately trying to hurt a player in a dead ball situation is totally different from deliberately trying to hurt a player in a live ball situation. If you're going to try and clean up the game, how about applying the rules equally and fairly for all.
The other play you referr
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 21:00 — otis4411The other play you referr too where the eweNc player got hurt is not cut and dried as you make out. The eweNc player pushes him off as he falls and the eweNc players falls back over him getting hurt. The timing is wierd I'll give you that but I don't see it as an intentional act. Neither did the ACC and eweNc usually get's all the calls from swoff and company. That alone shows you how bad that was. It's still front page headline on yahoo sports.
ONe game is not enough for this one!
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 20:43 — justmaybeThe hit came from behind, coming from the bench to across Duke's side of the line of scrimmage, between plays not during, before or after, and the player lowered his shoulder to hit the unaware-he-was-there player, knocking him to the ground hard and out of the game for the next play. Personally, I thought the freshman needed to be out of uniform the rest of the season to mature before coming on the field again. It was a disgusting act, not an accident, and the player wasn't even taken out of the game.
Fedora is wrong in my opinion to defend the player in light of the open field and lowered shoulder, and UNC should not dress out the player again this season, even beyond the league's suspension. UNC football is simply no longer a class act. I always root for close endings in ACC games, but Carolina needs to be defeated repeatedly by large margins until there is some integrity in its football program.
N&O should investigate the player's history in high school ball to see if he has assaults or undue agression on or off the field.
unbelievable
Wed, 10/24/2012 - 12:10 — SurferDude, look closely at the replay, specifically at Conner's left leg. That is where the contact was initiated (unintentionally).
Shakeel Rashad
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 20:34 — pdqubetYour parents must be proud Shakeel. And from behind! You gotta feel tough, Shakeel. Maybe, Navy Seals Team 6 tough. Again, we're just so ........proud of you.
Fedora should be punished too.
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 20:01 — otis4411They sacrificed a freshman to try and get Vernon out of the game. The hit was intentional by the way he put his shoulder down and used his forearm. He then went over and high fived a teammate. The ACC knows it was flagrant they sat him down a week. Big deal he don't play anyway he just went out on a mission. They should also punish Fedora by fining him. This cannot be allowed in the ACC. In the Davis era players did things like this hitting state players after the game and such but never did you think Davis sent them to do it. This is stooping to a new low. It's a sad day when a coach trys to hurt the other teams best player in the way this was done.
Hilarious
Wed, 10/24/2012 - 12:16 — SurferHahahahahaha, you can't be serious?
Oh for.....
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 20:07 — AgentPierceOh for Heaven's sakes.....
How can you deny that AP?
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 20:20 — otis4411How can you deny that AP? You think a freshman is going to decide "oh I'm going to take out Vernon" on his own?? No he did what he was told to do. It's pitiful that anyone would try and condone this. 2 ACC officials have been given a week off for not making the call on this. Do you realize how rare that is in the ACC????
Fedora Needs His Eyes Checked
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 20:17 — MmtumeFor Fedora to have the audacity to say that Rashad's hit on Vernon was unintentional is a blatant lie. How can a coach who was allegedly recruited to try to remove the stench from UNC left by Davis, call the hit on Vernon an accident, is so disingenuous. Rashad's hit borders on criminal assault. The hit was so egregious that the ACC suspended two game officials for not throwing a flag and or allegedly lying to Cutcliff about what they saw. If there were any kind of leadership at UNC, Swaffford should suspend Fedora for making such a stupid and ill advised statement. First Ol' Roy didn't know that Thorp wanted to raise the admission standards at the University and now the complete ignorance of Fedora comes front and center when he tries to defense the indefensible. Stay tuned for the next chapter of sordid details from the so called "Flagship University."
congratulations
Wed, 10/24/2012 - 12:21 — SurferAfter reading through all of these comments, thus far, you get the prize for the most absurd comment. "Criminal assult"?
Apparently not many people have looked very closely at Conner's left leg, where the contact was initiated. Criminal assult? LOL, hahahahahah. Laughter a great medicine, thanks, I needed that.
Fedora
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 18:23 — Libertarian59"Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora defended Rashad and said the collision had been unintentional."
It is great to see Coach Fedora is going to install discipline in the dirty Carolina Football program. It was obviously intentional. The Carolina Way - dirty cheaters!
Obvious
Wed, 10/24/2012 - 12:22 — SurferIt's obvious that you have not looked closely at Conner's left leg in the replay.
EVERYTHING is.....
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 18:50 — AgentPierceEVERYTHING is always "obvious" when viewed thru the Internet. :-)
I was at the game and
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 19:16 — usc1973I was at the game and missed the hit because I was looking away and only saw the end of it when Vernon was on the ground. The replay guy for Duke did not replay it on the scoreboard. However, I watched a replay of the game online Sunday and noted that in addition to running Vernon over, the Carolina player gave him a hit with the forearm for good measure. He may not have meant to run into Vernon initially but the forearm was intentional. Besides that, whether intentional or not there should have been a penalty of some nature. If not personal foul then offsides at least for contact before the ball is snapped.
If you are a Carolina fan you should be very familiar with "obvious". Every Carolina basketball player who ever missed a shot was "obviously" fouled and every foul ever called on a Carolina defender was "obviously" a bad call. I have attended my fair share of games in the Deandome and always find it amusing that practically every foul call on Carolina is booed, even when they are trying to commit a foul to stop the clock.