Utah athletic director criticized the Big 12 officiating crew following BYU's 22-21 victory over the Utes on Saturday night. Mark Harlan expressed disappointment over what he perceived as controversial calls on the Cougars' winning drive. Harlan stated that the game was 'stolen' from Utah and voiced his displeasure with the officiating crew's professionalism.
During the final drive, Utah appeared to have stopped BYU twice on fourth down, only to have the plays nullified by officials. A crucial incomplete pass by BYU was negated due to a timeout call before the snap. Additionally, a sack by Utah was overturned when a holding penalty was called on Utes cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn.
BYU capitalized on the fresh set of downs, advancing down the field to set up Will Ferrin's game-winning 44-yard field goal with four seconds remaining. Ferrin's kick sealed BYU's comeback from an 11-point halftime deficit, securing their victory over Utah.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake acknowledged the nature of football, noting that penalties are part of the game. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham echoed Harlan's sentiments, describing the officiating during the game as 'ridiculous.'
Both teams were penalized 10 times each, with Utah accumulating 90 penalty yards and BYU totaling 67 penalty yards. The contentious officiating decisions overshadowed the on-field performances of the teams, sparking post-game criticism and disappointment from Utah's leadership.
Despite the controversy surrounding the officiating, BYU's victory marked a significant comeback and showcased their resilience in securing a hard-fought win over their rivals.
