'Noles linebacker won't sit after disputed hit

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Florida States leading tackler, linebacker Nigel Bradham, will not be suspended for the home game Saturday against Virginia after being ejected following his fourth-quarter hit on a Miami receiver. Bradham was flagged for launching his body and hitting a defenseless player, LaRon Byrd, as the Miami receiver tried to catch a pass from Jacory Harris late in the fourth quarter of Florida State's 23-19 victory Saturday. Officials immediately flagged Bradham for the hit, which they deemed was launching toward a defenseless player with contact to head or neck area. He was ejected from the game at that point. But television replays showed that he hit Byrd in the rib cage with his right shoulder. I dont know how else to coach the guy, Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said Monday. We have to coach them (to tackle that way) until they tell us different. The NCAA rule book 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. When in question, it is a foul. Fisher argued the contact point with the officials after the play, even urging them to watch the replay on Doak Campbell Stadiums video board. He would like to see replay be expanded to clarify such hits. They need to review it, Fisher said. They review everything else. Review it, then. Lets get it right. If youre going to do it, lets get them all right. On Monday, Atlantic Coast Conference director of football officials Doug Rhoades supported the on-field officials call. But Rhoades said that Bradhams hit didnt warrant a suspension. Bradham, a senior who had a team-leading 10 tackles against Miami and 62 tackles this season, will be playing his final home game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday when Florida State hosts Virginia. Fisher said hes asked the ACC office to review the game-opening play, where Harris threw a pass to Allen Hurns. The officials ruled that Hurns caught the ball and was hit by cornerback Mike Harris. Safety Lamarcus Joyner scooped up the ball and easily ran in for a touchdown. After a lengthy replay, officials ruled that Hurns did not have possession of the ball and the touchdown was taken off the scoreboard. I think both hands were on the ball, Fisher said. Both feet were on the ground, and he turned to take a step and make a football move. And the ball was dislodged by us and not by bobbling of them. If thats not a catch, then Ive been wrong for 46 years. . . . Im waiting to hear the interpretation.