The article makes a huge error. In college ball it does not matter if the defender forces the receiver out of bounds. An incredibly strong safety could grab a jumping receiver before the receiver touches the ground and carry him to the sidelines to dump him out of bounds. The correct call would be incomplete.
Any Husker fans here, do not get used to these wins. Riley is addicted to passing and cannot fathom the proper use of a running back.
Last year, at Oregon State, he had a running back, Storm Woods, who lead the Pac 12 in yards per carry at 6.7. I watched in stunned disbelief when we, OSU, had the ball inside the 20 with 3rd and 18 inches, Riley called a fade to the back corner of the EZ...TWICE!!! to turn the ball over on downs.
Like an alcoholic, he repeatedly acknowledged that they should run more, then promptly returned to the pass (his drug of choice).
He is a very nice guy, a very good man and a good teacher....but he is a bad game-day coach.
He was lucky to win this one - had he not, he might be unemployed tomorrow.
Wrong. It does matter if the defender forces him out or not. If the DB by foul or force causes a WR to exit the playing field the WR has to reestablish himself to make the catch legal. The replay booth reviewed whether or not he was touched before going out. If he wasnt it would be an incomplete but replay showed contact.