[GoodGrief]

I believe that even if a player is pushed out that they still need to reestablish themselves in bounds. That push was egregious and should have been a penalty of some sort, but given that Montgomery was on his butt out of bounds he shouldn't then leap up and go for a pass. I also don't think that the ball was going to go to anyone if he didn't redirect it, but I haven't watched it too closely and am not 100% on this.

Hogan is 0/0 so that's kind of a ridiculous statement. I don't think there were good odds of it happening, but there were better odds than Montgomery taking back a pooch kick (which he has never returned for a TD, btw, and he's probably fielded a few) after getting stuffed on 4 separate returns for around half his typical average. I also never suggested that this one thing was a bigger blow than the interceptions, and I have absolutely no idea why you would put those words in my mouth.

Watching it on the replay, I can guarantee you that if Montgomery hadn't tipped the ball that the USC defender would have intercepted it. Had Montgomery tipped the ball out of bounds, he might have been the hero of the game. Unfortunately, he tipped it behind him into play where it got intercepted.

And I think Montgomery's earned the right to try for the touchdown on that kickoff given the number of big runs he's had this season.

That's not to excuse his drops, but the tip was the right move and the KO return I have little problem with.

[GoodGrief]

I believe that even if a player is pushed out that they still need to reestablish themselves in bounds. That push was egregious and should have been a penalty of some sort, but given that Montgomery was on his butt out of bounds he shouldn't then leap up and go for a pass. I also don't think that the ball was going to go to anyone if he didn't redirect it, but I haven't watched it too closely and am not 100% on this.

Hogan is 0/0 so that's kind of a ridiculous statement. I don't think there were good odds of it happening, but there were better odds than Montgomery taking back a pooch kick (which he has never returned for a TD, btw, and he's probably fielded a few) after getting stuffed on 4 separate returns for around half his typical average. I also never suggested that this one thing was a bigger blow than the interceptions, and I have absolutely no idea why you would put those words in my mouth.

Watching it on the replay, I can guarantee you that if Montgomery hadn't tipped the ball that the USC defender would have intercepted it. Had Montgomery tipped the ball out of bounds, he might have been the hero of the game. Unfortunately, he tipped it behind him into play where it got intercepted.

And I think Montgomery's earned the right to try for the touchdown on that kickoff given the number of big runs he's had this season.

That's not to excuse his drops, but the tip was the right move and the KO return I have little problem with.