The Big 12 has acknowledged another officiating mistake concerning BYU.
The conference announced on Saturday evening that BYU should not have been awarded a touchdown during the first quarter of the No. 8 Cougars’ 27-20 victory against Arizona State.
Running back Sione Moa was given credit for a touchdown after quarterback
Bear Bachmeier lost possession of the ball on a QB sneak attempt close to the goal line. Nevertheless, the replay officials should have reset the ball to the location of the fumble, allowing BYU to make a play on third down.
“At 11:27 in the first quarter of the Arizona State-BYU matchup, Big 12 replay officials halted the game to examine possession by BYU,” the conference stated in a communication. “The review indicated that the runner lost possession of the ball before reaching the forward progress point, and another BYU player recovered the ball at the two-yard line, resulting in a touchdown being awarded.
“According to Rule 12-3-3-d-2, ‘If the replay official determines the ball was not dead, it is awarded to the recovering team at the recovery spot, and any advance is negated.’
“The replay verdict was erroneous in granting a score. The accurate ruling should have been that BYU retained possession for a third-and-goal attempt from the two-yard line.”
Moa’s touchdown was his first of two during the game. He concluded the match with eight carries for 20 yards, while Bachmeier recorded 236 passing yards and a touchdown.
Two weeks prior, Big 12 officials neglected to permit Notre Dame another play at the conclusion of the Fighting Irish’s defeat against the Cougars. As Notre Dame aimed for the end zone while down 28-24, CJ Carr’s pass fell incomplete with one second left on the clock. Yet officials did not review the remaining time — possibly overlooking a pass interference call — and the game concluded.
A week back, UCF edged past BYU 39-31 in two overtimes following a blocked field goal attempt by UCF on third down at the end of the third quarter. Kicker Will Stone managed to recover the blocked kick but lost his helmet as he fell down with four seconds remaining. Officials indicated that a 10-second runoff was required due to Stone losing his helmet. However, the clock stops after a blocked kick recovery, and this stoppage takes precedence over a runoff.
If the clock regulations had been applied correctly, UCF would have had another opportunity to attempt a game-winning field goal in regulation time.
