Rose Bowl Official Defends Call -- Holding Penalty That Caused Schembechler's Outburst Was Proper, Say Pac-10 Commissioner

Charles Czubin says he simply was going by the book. Michigan Coach Bo Schembechler called him every name in it.

Czubin, a teacher at Highline High School and coach of Federal Way High's undefeated girls' basketball team, was the central figure in an officiating controversy during the Rose Bowl game Monday. Southern Cal defeated Michigan 17-10, the final game in Schembechler's career.

``I really didn't think it was a big deal until I read the papers'' yesterday,said Czubin, who lives in Kent.

With the score tied at 10 midway through the final quarter, Michigan was at its 46-yard line, facing a fourth-and-2. Then came an uncharacteristic play call by Schembechler, a coach with a reputation for being conservative. Punter Chris Stapleton faked a punt and ran 22 yards for what appeared to be a first down to the Trojan 32-yard line.

However, outside lineman Bobby Abrams, in a pile of players on the left side of the line, was seen holding a USC player - seen by Czubin, the line judge.

``We're supposed to call it, and we called it,'' Czubin said yesterday, leaving no doubt he considered the call correct and appropriate.

The 22-yard gain was nullified and Michigan was penalized 10 yards. Schembechler disagreed, and Michigan was assessed an additional 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct by the side judge, Gary Hirst.

The Wolverines punted and Southern Cal came back on its next series with the game-winning, 75-yard touchdown drive.

Czubin and Hirst, a Mercer Island resident, were two of three Pacific-10 Conference officials in the seven-man Rose Bowl crew.

Schembechler, shown on national television as he angrily threw papers onto the turf, said afterward that ``it was the most unbelievable call I've ever seen . . . you couldn't go out and find another official who would make that call.''

Asked if he knew which official called it, he said, ``The most incompetent one.''

Was Czubin surprised by Schembechler's

anger? ``It's not the first time,'' he said.

Czubin added, ``It's too bad because it was a great day, great crowd, then he goes off like that.''

Czubin said he could not comment further, deferring, as a matter of policy, to the Pac-10 office.

Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen, who attended the game, said that ``any commissioner or supervisor of officials will tell the referees, `If there is a penalty, no matter what the circumstances are, you make the call.' I believe a detailed study of the films will reveal that.''

Hansen said that after watching the replay, ``it appeared to me that the Michigan blocker got his right arm in front of the USC pass-rusher and his left hand behind him and boxed him with his arms. When the runner went outside and the USC defender turned toward him, the Michigan player looked like he grabbed his (defender's) jersey with his right hand and continued to hold him.

``I thought it was an obvious hold. It appeared to be a good call,'' said Hansen, who added that the player held was in a spot in which he could have made the tackle.

``It was so dramatic a play that it's understandable anyone would be upset,'' Hansen said. ``But he shouldn't strike out at an official. The fault lies with the player who committed the foul. I thought the crew did a good job in a tough game.''

What did Hirst think?

``I have no comment,'' he said this morming. ``We don't talk about things like this. Chuck (Czubin) shouldn't have done that. ''

The Pac-10, which has five seven-official crews, picks its half of the Rose Bowl crew based on general consistent excellence over the years, according to Hansen. Czubin has been a football referee for 29 years. He has worked in the Pac-10 since 1973. That was his first Rose Bowl assignment, although he has worked the Holiday Bowl, California Bowl and East-West Shrine games.

Asked if 17 years is a typical waiting period before a Rose Bowl assignment, Hansen said, ``That's probably not too unusual. He's a fine official. That's a sign that you really do spend time in the program before you get in the Rose Bowl. They hold it dear. It's a reward for the officials as well as the players.

``Bo said that if it (holding) is there on the films, he'll say so,'' Hansen said. ``He has made that pledge. I hope he does recognize it.''

Don't expect a retraction from Schembechler, who remained in Southern California after the game.

He said yesterday in Newport Beach that his review of game film shows there was no infraction on the play.

``Oh, I'll remember this play!'' Schembechler said. ``This play will go down in history like the phantom touchdown and all those others.

``I looked at it first thing last night, as soon as I got back to the hotel,'' Schembechler said. ``Damn right. I slept better knowing I was right.''

But this was Bo, the ex-coach talking now. There was no rage as there had been the previous day before. Now he was laughing. Retired, relaxed and at peace.

``Hey look, if you look at the film and see that we got beat on both sides of the ball, offense and defense, don't come in here and tell me we deserved to win the game,'' he said. ``But, being a professional coach, I know we could have still won it.''

Associated Press and John Peoples, Times staff reporter, contributed to this report.