Expert: Vic Winnek - 9/16/2006

Question
Did you see the Oregan vs Oklahoma matchup in Eugene? The last 2 plays of the game were pivotal and once again it was turned by the referees. The Sooners played so hard and its difficult to go into that stadium and win as we all know in the last 26 games at home the Oregan Ducks have only lost one game so my question is. Why does it seem like the refs are favoring one team over the other. If you look at the kickoff and the pass interference tip call you will see. It just ruins the games for me and alot of the fans. i dont care for the Sooners im a big ten man but that game was a bunch of bs. sorry to be so blunt about it.          
thanks for your time.      dwarfSTARcritic

Answer
Follow-up:   Pacific 10 commissioner Tom Hansen will review the onside kick and pass interference plays and announce Tuesday whether they were called correctly.


Aaron,

Thanks for your question.  I understand your concern.  This is still a dynamic issue in the officiating community. The Pac-10 has not released the observations and evaluations to the officials.  The game film and game reports are being reviewed as I answer this question.  I will post a follow-up as more information becomes known.

Please understand I only answer questions and explain the answers from an objective, non-judgmental position based on the rules, the facts available and current approved rulings.

Background information:

Yes I did see the game.  I have seen the on-side Free Kick and the DPI play in the last minutes of the game. I've seen the on-side Kick play from 5 different angles.  Rules 12-3-2(c) allow the Replay official to review whether a legal pass was touched by the Oklahoma player; while Rule 12-3-3(c) allows the Replay official to determine if the kick was touched by any player.

The on field officiating crew was comprised of Pac-10 officials.  They are all EXCELLENT officials and among the best in the business.  I ASSURE you NONE of them are or were bias or intentionally or subconsciously favored one team over another!!!

The officials on the field see the play in real time from their position on the field.  The Replay officials and TV audience see the game from many different angles, replayed at various speeds.  The Replay official is the one who reviews every play of the game and he may stop the game "if there is 'reasonable' evidence to believe an error was made...on the field." (NCAA Football Rule 12-5-1)

By rule, "NO game official [Referee, Umpire, Head Linesman, Line Judge, Back Judge, Field Judge or Side Judge] may request the game be stopped and a play reviewed." (Rule 12-5-2(b))

The Field officials are not a part of the review process. The Referee confers with the Replay official. Only the Replay official can reverse the on field call if there is "indisputable video evidence through ...the replay provided". (Rule 12-7-1) The Referee merely announces the findings of the Replay official, he does not influence or opine.  

Bare in mind that angles can be deceiving with respect to distance and exact positions.  This must always be considered when reviewing film.  This is why multiple angles are used to get the correct placement, positioning or distance.

I am anxious to see why and how the ruling on the free kick ended up the way it did. As for the DPI, I don't believe the video evidence rose to the standard of proof necessary to over turn it.  But I do understand the argument the pass was touched by a defensive player. From a Rules standpoint the video evidence is not indisputable evidence, the ball did not change its path or flight "sufficient enough" to be considered indisputable.  Thus the ruling on the field must stand.

Regardless of you opinion the officials on the field are among the best in football. They are dedicated professional.  These gentlemen are the last bastion of integrity that the game has, they are unbiased arbiters of the rule whose only allegiance is to the game itself – to think otherwise is false and flawed.

Lastly,  this game is a prime example how the new timing rules also contributed to Oklahoma's defeat regardless of the 2 controversal rulings.