Morning Coffee: An illegal hit?

Thursday, September 13

Whether you agree or disagree with the decision, it's clear that the SEC office sent a message to all its teams this week by suspending Ole Miss freshman defensive back Trae Elston for a hit during the Rebels' victory over UTEP.

Elston's hit (view above) was a hard shot, but it was not flagged during the course of the game.

But the SEC announced Tuesday that Elston had been suspended one game for violating Rule 9-1-4 of the NCAA Football Rule Book, which states, “No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder,” and Rule 9-1-3 which states, “No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet.”

Elston now must miss Ole Miss' game against Texas this weekend.

"I was disappointed that we won't have Trae. I was shocked, I guess, too," Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said in response to word of the suspension. "I just didn't even think about it from that standpoint. My first reaction was 'Oh my gosh.' ...

"It was not an intent, dirty, unsportsmanlike play/ It was a tough, bang-bang play. I know that the SEC has the safety of our kids and every kid, that’s their interest. ...

“I just want everybody to know the type of kid he is and the type of player he is. It certainly was not intentionally to intend to hurt anyone. It's unfortunate. It was just one of those bang-bang plays. I understand what they're trying to get across. I get that. That's really all I need to say.”

Remember this was the SEC office -- and not the NCAA -- that issued this suspension.

So what are your thoughts it? Was the suspension justified for this hit or did the SEC overstep its bounds in this ruling?

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LINK(S) OF THE DAY

Pat Forde delves into the Memphis saga and Mississippi State's recruitment of Will Redmond, which has come under NCAA scrutiny

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TWEET(S) OF THE DAY

My new Uga IX Georgiga Jersey fits perfect! All I need is a bath and to be groomed and I be ready for Sat night! #goDawgs #uga

Russ (Uga IX) feed

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OL Zach DeBell

Professor just said liquor is "satans sweat" #haha

PK Marshall Morgan

Let me hit... I'll knock it out the park !!!

OL Mark Beard

I believe that your day is as good as you make it. And I'm about to make today on hell of a day. #cantkeepmedown

RB Richard Samuel

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LS Nathan Theus

Beasted my history 2112 quiz, 85 on my history 4500 paper,and my professor moved our next paper due date back to next week #FlawlessVictory

TE Jay Rome

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LB Amarlo Herrera