USC’s false-start calls fall on deaf ears

Did Stanford’s defense disrupt USC’s on Saturday, or were the Trojans’ complaints mere acts of frustration?

USC was called for six false-start penalties, five in the first half. According to media outlets in Los Angeles, head coach Clay Helton, quarterback Max Browne and right guard Viane Talamaivao said Stanford was mimicking USC’s snap count. They said they mentioned it to the officials to no avail and had better luck when they switched to a silent count in the second half.

Talamaivao and right tackle Zach Banner were each called for two false starts.

The officials, who are standing close to the line of scrimmage, didn’t penalize Stanford, so presumably they didn’t hear any disruptive chatter. USC did not raise the issue with the Pac-12 office, conference vice president of officiating David Coleman said Thursday.

“That’s what’s called ‘disconcerting signals,’ ” Coleman said. “The defense is not allowed to make noises or call signals that could confuse the offense.”

If it does, it would draw a 5-yard delay-of-game penalty, and if it continued, it could result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty, Coleman said.

At one point, the officials asked Cardinal defensive line coach Diron Reynolds if his players were saying anything disruptive, according to defensive coordinator Lance Anderson.

Anderson said Reynolds’ answer was a firm no. “The only communication we have is where we’re learning (about) stunts,” Anderson said. “Nothing that would simulate a cadence.” The officials “came over one time during the game, but after that, we heard nothing more — because nothing was being said.”