Notre Dame-Navy commentators go off on air after 'absurd' call - 'What is he supposed to do?'

ABC announcers Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy sounded off on the state of officiating in college football after a "ridiculous" roughing the passer call in Notre Dame's rout of Navy on Saturday.

Linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa surged off the edge and got home to Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath on a play that was initially ruled a fumble, only for it to be wiped out by the penalty. The officials ruled he freshman drove the QB into the ground with all of his body weight, meeting the threshold for roughing the passer.

The play proved inconsequential, with the Irish romping to a 51-14 victory at MetLife Stadium, but it certainly left a sour taste in the mouths of the announcers.

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"Viliamu-Asa is such a talented young man," former Alabama QB McElroy said, breaking down the play. "He blitzes off the left side and times it perfectly and delivers a big hit to Horvath but lands down on the ground with all of his body weight. That’s been something that they have really tried to adjust and I know it’s hard to do for a defensive player to avoid that contact."

His broadcast partner interjected, expressing his disgust at the decision. "What’s he supposed to do?" McDonough said. McElroy replied: "I really don’t know. I think it’s ridiculous."

McDonough continued bluntly. He said: "It is ridiculous. It’s football. It’s absurd." McElroy said in return: "I understand if you hit a guy low in the passing posture, I totally get it. But man, just driving him to the ground and landing on top of him with all your body weight."

McDonough was not done. "He puts his arm up trying to knock down the pass," he concluded. "He wraps him up, what’s he supposed to do? Not take him to the ground? How do you not land on him in that situation?"

McElroy agreed that the rules are unfair on defenders. He added: "You’re right. It’s impossible to play defense nowadays with RPOs [run-pass options] and all the other things an offense can throw at you, now you can’t even tackle the quarterback. It’s really a tough spot to be in."

The call could not take the shine off a stellar day for No. 12 Notre Dame, who improved to 7-1 with the victory over the previously undefeated No. 24 Navy. The Irish's defense was irrepressible, recovering five fumbles and an interception.

Quarterback Riley Leonard and his offense took full advantage of the positive field position. He finished with three total touchdowns, while Jeremiyah Love pounded the ball into the endzone twice on the ground in a statement performance.

The Irish hosts Florida State in South Bend when they return from their bye week on Nov. 9, followed by games against Virginia, Army and USC to conclude the regular season.