Controversial Replay Refusal Could Shape Entire NCAA Football Conference
A questionable call may have cost Arizona State a huge Pac-12 win over Oregon on Saturday.
A one-yard run by ASU quarterback Manny Wilkins with 5:15 left in the fourth quarter pulled the Sun Devils to within 31-29. ASU coach Herm Edwards decided to go for two to tie the score.
But a pass from Wilkins to wide receiver Frank Darby in the back of the end zone was ruled out of bounds.
You be the judge.
In college football, only one foot needs to be down after a catch and it appears on the slow-motion replay that Darby’s left foot is in bounds and down when he makes the catch.
But the refs ruled his foot was out of bounds. Thus, the attempt was ruled no good and Oregon held on over the last five minutes to win 31-29.
Asked Edwards about the 2-point conversion at Oregon. He said he asked an official if they were going to look at it. He was told no. At that point he moved onto stopping Oregon and getting the ball bsck. Said that’s what he asks players to do, he sets the example.
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) November 19, 2018
“They said his foot was out, but we had a good design. I think most people in the stadium thought we were going to throw to (star receiver) N’Keal (Harry). The foot just couldn’t get in. Frank makes the catch, but we don’t make the play,” said Edwards after the game, reported Oregon Live.
Edwards had asked the referees to review the play, but he was refused, which angered Sun Devils fans.
The more I see the two point play the more I think Darby is in. Also, I remain completely mind blown that it didn’t get reviewed. #ASU #ASUvsUO #ForksUp
— Ben Haber (@HaberBen) November 18, 2018
Considering it was such an important play in the game, and one that was highly questionable on the replays, the officials should have taken a look at the play to confirm the ruling.
ASU fans in the Eugene airport are very upset about the Frank Darby two-point conversation. Rightfully so.
— Brady (@BradyVernon) November 18, 2018
The loss ended ASU’s hopes of winning the Pac-12 South. Had they won, the Sun Devils would have kept pace with South Division leader Utah (8-3, 6-3), which beat Colorado 30-7.
A win at Arizona next Saturday would have assured ASU the South crown and a shot to play in the Pac-12 title game, but now the title goes to Utah.
ASU dropped to 6-5 overall and 4-4 in the conference.
With a win over Arizona, ASU would have been 6-3, tied with Utah, a team they beat 38-20 a week earlier to win the tiebreaker.
“This is a hard one to swallow. A lot of tears in that locker room obviously. We got to get over that. We have another game left and from there we’ll figure out what bowl we’re going to get to play in,” Edwards said.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to the Arizona State team as the Wildcats instead of the Sun Devils.
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