Utah athletic director Mark Harlan may discover himself referred to as into the commissioner’s workplace this week.
Harlan blasted the officiating late Saturday after the Utes misplaced to rival BYU, 22-21, on Utah’s residence discipline.
“This recreation was completely stolen from us,” Harlan stated. “We have been enthusiastic about being within the Massive 12, however tonight I’m not. We received this recreation. Another person stole it from us. Very upset.”
The Utes, accustomed to being within the combine atop the Pac-12 standings, are struggling of their first 12 months within the Massive 12 at 4-5 total, 1-5 within the convention.
Utah clung to a 21-19 led for many of the fourth quarter after a BYU landing on the 12:35 mark of the ultimate body. And twice late within the quarter, the Utes regarded as in the event that they have been headed to the win.
Whereas Harlan did not specify a name that riled him particularly, it probably occurred within the last two minutes.
With 1:56 left, BYU took possession on its 9-yard line, and quarterback Jake Retzlaff fired three straight incomplete passes. The Cougars referred to as a timeout, and on the following fourth-and-10 play, Retzlaff was sacked for a loss that put the ball on the BYU 1-yard-line with about 90 seconds to go.
However a holding penalty referred to as on Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn gave BYU new life and the ball at its 19.
Retzlaff took benefit, finishing passes of 30 yards and 12 yards, and operating again Hinckley Ropati’s 14-yard run took the ball to the Utah 25 with 1:07 on the clock.
A false begin penalty on BYU despatched the ball again to the Utah 30, and the Cougars spent the following three performs positioning the ball and operating down the clock to offer Will Ferrin a 44-yard field-goal try. which he hit with simply three seconds left.
“I’ll speak to the commissioner. This was not truthful to our staff,” Harlan stated. “I am disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight.”
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was indignant with officers on the sphere however let his boss tackle the officiating postgame.
“Could not get that final cease once we wanted it, sadly,” Whittingham stated. “That is sort of been the story for a number of video games.”
BYU coach Kalani Sitake stated refereeing comes with the territory.
“No matter determination the refs make, I do not suppose they’re attempting to get it unsuitable, in order that’s simply a part of the sport,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake stated. “The refs are a part of the sport. We have been capable of capitalize on that.”
With the win, which got here earlier than the biggest crowd (54,383) ever at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake Metropolis, No. 9 BYU moved to 9-0, 6-0 within the convention, to remain firmly within the combine for a Faculty Soccer Playoff berth.
The sport marked the primary time the in-state rivals have performed as convention opponents since 2010 when the groups left the Mountain West Convention.
–Discipline Stage Media
