On that 4th down in the 4th quarter, Tafuna certainly was offsides but how was that roughing the passer? I’ve watched it again but the sound on my Xfinity broadcast went out for the last quarter for some reason so maybe the announcers explained something but all I can see is that he was hitting him low (might have been blocked/tackled into his legs) but I don’t know of a rule against that.
There are some limited exceptions to the general rule but it appears the call was a hit below the knees while the QB was in a throwing position. 2014 NCAA Rule Prohibiting QB Hit Below Knees
The play should have been called dead the instant Tafuna made contact with the center but he got to the QB so fast, I’m not sure the whistle was blown quick enough. Definitely a penalty as Dallas and CC Ute have stated.
They don’t call plays dead on offside penalties. That gives the offense an opportunity to complete the play without the possibility of a negative outcome.
there were two flags on the play. Offsides and roughing the passer. The offsides was declined and the roughing accepted. It was bang bang but Tafuna made contact just before the ball started moving.