Pac-12 issues statement on officiating in Cal-Mississippi game: Clock stoppage would have been “supported” but call was correct
For the second consecutive Sunday, the Pac-12 issued a statement in response to actions by its officials — or, rather, inactions.
Last week, the conference confirmed that its on-field and replay booth officials failed to properly penalize an Arizona State player for leaping to attempt to block a last-second, game-tying field goal by Michigan State.
Had the penalty been called, the Spartans would have had a chip-shot to force overtime.
The officials blew it, and the conference acknowledged as much under the new transparency policy, which governs mistakes involving:
• A game-ending call or no-call impacts the result of the game;
• A call involves a significant error in officiating mechanics;
• A call involves an error in rules interpretation;
• Other extraordinary circumstances
But the issue this weekend in the wild finish to the Cal-Mississippi game carries far more nuance.
The conference announced it would have “supported play being stopped by Instant Replay for further review to confirm the on-field call of the second to last play of the game.”
If you’re unfamiliar …
Cal led 28-20 in the final seconds when a third-down completion by the Rebels was spotted inside the one yard-line by the Side Judge, who had a clear look at the play.
The receiver’s legs were in the end zone, but the ball was determined to have not crossed the plane.
Ole Miss was without timeouts and had to rush to the line to get a play off before time expired.
The ball was spotted quickly by the Umpire.
Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee had no choice but to take the snap with two seconds left and charge forward in a desperate attempt to draw the Rebels within a two-point conversion of overtime.
He was stuffed by Cal’s defense, and the game ended.
The controversy, however, was just starting.
Mississippi’s interim athletic director, Keith Carter, later issued a statement on Twitter:
“We are extremely disappointed by the officiating at the end of the game and are expecting a full explanation from the Pac-12 regarding the call and subsequent non-review of the 3rd down play. We feel strongly that the play should have been reviewed by the Pac-12 officials in the review booth. Even if the play didn’t result in a touchdown, the spot of the ball on 4th down was questionable.”
The Pac-12 conference reviewed the play on Sunday and determined that its officials on the field made the correct call and “there was no irrefutable video evidence to reverse those calls by replay.”
Of the replay booth’s decision to not stop the clock for a review, the conference said: “The Conference would have supported play being stopped by Instant Replay for further review to confirm the on-field call of the second to last play of the game.”
David Coleman, the VP for Officiating, explained in a video posted on the Pac-12 website that the mechanics of the play were handled properly.
He added:
“Given the closeness of the call, and that it was an end-of-game scenario, it probably should have been stopped by instant replay for review. However, as there was not irrefutable video evidence that the ruling … could be overturned to a touchdown, it was the correct call.”
Stopping play after a correct call on the field would have given Ole Miss an advantage, allowing the Rebels to get organized and call a play after they had used all their timeouts.
It would have put Cal at a competitive disadvantage when the Bears had done nothing to warrant that predicament.
What if the situation were reversed?
What if Cal had been on the one yard-line with no timeouts?
Had the booth stopped play and given the Bears a chance to get aligned after the correct call on the field, it stands to reason that Mississippi would have taken issue with the move.
Two weeks, two statements, but two very different situations.
The conference officials screwed up the first time.
That’s not the case in this instance.
Support the Hotline: Several Hotline articles will remain free each month (as will the newsletter), but for access to all content, you’ll need to subscribe. I’ve secured a rate of 16 cents per day for a full year or — introductory offer alert! — just 99 cents for the first month, with the option to cancel anytime. (You dip a toe, then it’s up to me to get you hooked.) Click here. And thanks for your loyalty.
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.