What do you mean timeouts may be used at any time during the game?
You mentioned that you'ld seen timeouts used to get subs in late in games. I'm just pointing out it could be done earlier also.
I meant during play while play is going on there have been times where play is just stopped to get walkons in. No TO's are charged. I've never seen that before this year really.
At this level I'd be very surprised if they allowed substitution to get even walkons in late without a legit stoppage in play. What is common and most likely happened is that the coach was charged a time out just to get the subs in but didn't bring the players to the bench and use the time to gather. Mind you if the opposing coach says he wants to use the timeout to speak to his players, it's his perogative.
As for the first part about Lavin throwing them in, I would hope the officials and USF recognized it was Sr Night. I would expect every coach respects that.
That's exactly how I saw it. The zebras used a liberal application of the soccer term "law 18" wisely.
That being said the 'lead' official was the same clueless ref who called 20 fouls in the first half of our MSG game vs. ND
I didn't see that game. I heard we wuz robbed.