Criticism of the officiating in Oregon’s 34-33 win Saturday against Oklahoma continues to pour in from all over the country.
The controversy and criticism stems from an onside kick that gave Oregon the ball the with 1:06 left in the game. The video replay appeared to show that Oregon’s Brian Paysinger touched the ball before the required ten yards. The replay also showed that Oklahoma, not Oregon, recovered the ball.
But after review, the officials cited inconclusive evidence and gave Oregon the ball. The next play was also reviewed when Oklahoma was cited for pass interference on a ball that appeared to be tipped at the line of scrimmage. Contact with receivers is allowed when a ball is tipped. But, again, the officials cited inconclusive evidence and the call stood.
The Ducks scored on the next play to take the lead.
The Pacific-10 Conference responded to the calls Monday by suspending the officiating crew and instant replay officials one game. The ruling is not likely to satisfy the Oklahoma football team and Sooner faithful, who had their chances at a lucrative BCS Bowl Game diminished by the loss.
University of Oklahoma president David Boren sent a letter Monday to Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg, criticizing officials and seeking an apology from the Pac-10. He termed the game, “an outrageous injustice” and asked that the game be removed from the record books.
Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen later apologized in a statement.
“Errors clearly were made and not corrected, and for that we apologize to the University of Oklahoma, coach Bob Stoops and his players,” Hansen said. “They played an outstanding college football game, as did Oregon, and it is regrettable that the outcome of the contest was affected by the officiating.”
After the Pac-10’s review, Hansen told the Associated Press that an Oregon player, Brian Paysinger, touched the onside kick before it traveled the required 10 yards and possession should have gone to Oklahoma. Video also shows an Oklahoma football player recovering the football, though that portion is not reviewable under the instant replay rule.
“The fact that the errors on the onside kick altered the outcome of the game is most unfortunate and unsettling,” Hansen told the AP. “We had a solid veteran crew assigned, and the instant replay official had a fine career as a referee in the Pac-10.”
Gordon Riese, the instant replay official who declined to overturn the call on the onside kick, has received threatening phone calls and a death threat, according to the AP.
Riese said the replay equipment is not on par with NFL and officials cannot freeze the frame.
“I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, my blood pressure is skyrocketing,” Riese told the AP.
The Portland Oregonian reported that Riese, pressed for time and without all the video angles, saw no conclusive evidence to overturn the call and upheld the decision on the field.
The Associate Press contributed to this report.