WATCH: RedHawks penalized for distracting Bobcats with fake goal posts on stadium videoboard, Referee calls out ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’

The first half of the NCAA football game between the Miami RedHawks and Ohio Bobcats ended with a bizarre twist on Tuesday, November 10. The RedHawks were penalised by the referee after the video board behind the actual goalposts at their home Yager stadium showed multiple goalposts.

The penalty came when the Bobcats had been leading 17-7. Their kicker, Brack Peacock attempted a 34-yard field goal, which hit the right upright but missed. The referee then handed a penalty to the RedHawks. Officials then highlighted that the scoreboard had displayed multiple field goalposts in a distracting optical illusion.

Referee calls out ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’

Following the play, the match official said, “On the previous play, there were depictions of the field-goal uprights on the scoreboard.” He added, “That is a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct against Miami (RedHawks). Half the distance to the goal, automatic first down.”


However, the Bobcats were unable to convert the penalty into a score. They faked an attempt at another field goal with the two seconds remaining, but punter Magnus Haines’ pass was dropped in the endzone leading to an incompletion, The Enquirer reported. The RedHawks went on to win the game 34-17.

The NFL’s rule precedent for such situations

The NFL issued a memo to teams in September 2026. The league changed the rules for what could be shown on the videoboards during field-goal attempts and extra-point attempts. According to ESPN, the league had always required all videoboards and ribbon boards to use a static image during these attempts. They can not use any flashing images, blinking effects or even moving text. The board may also display an All-22 view, an angle that captures all 22 players on the field.

In September, the NFL told all clubs that they must use the same All022 angle or static image for both the kicking team, ESPN reported, citing the memo issued on September 7, 2026. The new rule is aimed at ensuring competitive equity and any team that violates it would face disciplinary action.

The memo was a result of a viral post from former analytics coach Ryan Pagenetti. He highlighted that during a game the New England Patriots displayed a shot of the field that included the goal posts, creating an optical illusion for the opposing kickers. The Patriots were not penalized for this since they were operating under the NFL’s rules, however the league later clarified and detailed the rules.