Mark Jones calls out CFB officials for double standard on penalty

Did Illinois coach Bret Bielema get away with taunting in Tuesday night’s Citrus Bowl? Rules analyst Bill LeMonnier seemed to think so. Mark Jones — calling the game for ABC — wondered why Bielema wasn’t penalized when players are often flagged for similar violations.

The incident in question happened late in the third quarter. Illini defensive back Jaheim Clarke was shaken up close to the South Carolina bench. After checking on Clarke, Bielema began to return to the Illinois sideline. But before doing so, he looked at Beamer — and the rest of the Gamecocks — and mimicked the “substitution” signal. An incensed Beamer had to be restrained. Near the end of the fourth quarter, as Illinois was running out the clock on its 21-17 win, Bielema’s actions were further discussed.

A source of frustration in the game was how the Illini substituted, specifically on defense. LeMonnier seemed to side with South Carolina in that dispute.

“When the offense does substitute, the defense gets an opportunity to respond,” LeMonnier noted. “But they’re responding so slow and multiple times. They’re taking advantage of the rule.”

LeMonnier then said that what Bielema did “went overboard,” adding that the coach “should have been flagged” for taunting.

Jones then slightly shifted the conversation.

“I find it interesting that taunting fouls and penalties are called very quickly on players,” he said. “We’ve seen numerous taunting penalties called — quickly — against players. But at the moment where maybe we needed one against a coach, it didn’t happen.”

Bill LeMonnier and Mark Jones on Bret Bielema.

LeMonnier: What coach did there…It should have been flagged.

Jones: We’ve seen numerous taunting penalties called quickly against players. But at the moment where maybe we needed one against a coach, it didn’t happen. https://t.co/Cedf8ldAsN pic.twitter.com/WjxD7avbed

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 31, 2024

There are certainly times when players being flagged is warranted — but not always. Moreover, it often feels as though officials are almost looking to call taunting after a big play.

Whether Bielema should have been called for taunting can be debated. But as for his assertion that players are often given quick taunting fouls — Jones is 100% correct.

[Photo Credit: ABC]