NCAA screwing Ifeanyi Momah

Always known for selective enforcement, the NCAA has some explaining to do regarding their denial of Ifeanyi Momah's 6th year of eligibility. Compare his case to two more prominent players who received an extra year of playing time.

Case Keenum redshirted his freshmen year (fall 2006). He played in 13 games as a redshirt freshman (fall 2007). He played in 13 the following year (fall 2008). His redshirt junior year saw him start in 14 games (fall 2009). In his fifth year (fall 2010) he started three games and suffered an ACL injury. The NCAA granted him a sixth year and played in 14 games. In all he was allowed to play in 57 games and his school was not punished for their elective redshirt in 2006.

Robert Marve redshirted his freshman year (fall 2007). In his redshirt freshman year Marve started 11 games. In 2009 he transferred to Purdue and had to sit out a season. This used his third year of NCAA eligibility. In his fourth year of eligibility (fall 2010) he started four games before injuring his knee. After recovering from his knee injury, Marve played in 10 games (2011 season). It should be noted that Marve also admitted to the NCAA that he received illegal benefits as part of the Shapiro scandal at Miami. But was sparred punishment because of his cooperation. He was just granted a 6th year of eligibility. In all Marve has played 25 games, played in multiple games across three seasons and allowed to transfer and escape penalty even though his former Miami teammates had to miss games.

Now a reminder on Ifeanyi Momah's history. He played in seven games as true freshman in 2007. He only played in 11 games as true sophomore due to injury. He redshirted in 2009. In 2010 he played in 13 games. In 2011, he was injured in the first game. That consists of only three full seasons. He has never been in any trouble and has his degree. He missed one full season due to injury and 83% of another season due to injury. Why was he not given the same opportunities as Marve and Keenum?

BC is following the proper channels, but this stinks to high heaven. If the NCAA doesn't reverse its decision on appeal, the school should hit the media hard.

Momah gets 6th year! and all the others are able to come back too UPDATE

UPDATE: I wrote the post based on the tweet. BC's article later clarified that Momah still needs NCAA approval. I assume he will get it.

Injuries to college athletes are especially unfair. Their respective careers are so short that any game or season missed is one less chance to shine or contribute. Of all the guys who missed time this season, I felt especially bad for Ifeanyi Momah. He was a guy who came in with such raw potential, did what was asked of him, yet never got a chance to put it all together. It seemed like 2011 might be the season where it finally clicked. He was healthy and back on offense full-time and had a new offensive coordinator. Things were going according to plan until he got hurt. Now he gets the rare sixth NCAA year. I hope he makes the most of it and we get something special.

Also of note is Montel Harris's opportunity to return. He comes back to a much more crowded backfield than the one he left. But another season means another chance to break the ACC's rushing record. I also feel he was misused and rushed a bit this year. Let's hope all the time off means he'll finally be healthy in 2012.

Ramsey should be a contributor if he is elects to use his fifth year. I also look forward to seeing Jones and Wujciak back.

The post where I try to down play the loss of Momah

BC's senior captain, WR Ifeanyi Momah is out for the year. Unless the NCAA grants him a sixth year, his college career is over too. This sucks on many levels, but mostly it sucks for Ifeanyi. I actually think BC will be okay without him. Rettig has shown the ability to distribute the ball to multiple targets. The beneficiary of the extra passes and snaps will be guys like Pantale, Coleman, and potentially even Spiffy Evans. We lose a big target, but there are enough pieces in place to fill the hole left by his absence.

All BC fans should be giving thanks to Momah though and hope that he gets a sixth year. His career has all been about potential and doing what's asked, and now that it finally came together in a career best day, that career is over. Let's remember that he was taken on the flyer late in Jags's first partial recruiting class. He played as a true freshman but mostly on special teams. As a sophomore he improved even though he was still extremely raw. He sat out his true junior year with a knee issues and used that time to convert to defensive end. When he returned and BC needed him back on O, he didn't object over the wasted time or opportunities. In fact, he played both ways when given the chance. This year -- with his full focus finally on WR -- he showed up slimmed down, strong and ready to go. A break out game gave hope for a break out season. Now it is all for naught.

I don't know if he even wants a another year. Football is huge grind and is often more fun for us watching than those guys playing. If the knee will keep him from playing at the next level, Momah might just get his degree and get on with his life. But whatever he does, Momah will at least know that he did what was asked and showed real leadership throughout.

I hope he comes back...

Problems at DLine and other links

One of the reasons I've waited to write the wide receiver and defensive line previews is because I had no idea what the staff was going to do with Momah. It sounds like they still don't know. I never understood why they moved him in the first place. He was a solid WR and his size was a difference maker. We'll see what happens. My guess is that he'll stay on offense...it is where we need him more. The Globe also had a piece on the Shinskie's development. Another key to Shinskie's season might be Bill Flutie.

The Giants are trying Kiwi at LB.

This is Rivals look at the ACC.

Here is an NFL scouting report on Anthony Castonzo.

Chris O'Donnell is coming back to BC for the Notre Dame game.