Pac-12 official explains adding late touchdown

LOS ANGELES — The blocked field goal and return for touchdown at the end of today's Pac-12 football game between USC and Utah was ruled a touchdown by game officials, making the final score 23-14, not 17-14 as originally reported.

Statement from Pac-12 Officiating Consultant Mike Pereira: "The new Unsportsmanlike Conduct rule is Rule 9, Section 2, Article 1. It states that Unsportsmanlike Conduct fouls by players are administered as either live ball or dead ball fouls depending on when they occur. The rule does not apply to substitutes. All Unsportsmanlike Conduct fouls by substitutes are enforced as dead ball fouls. Since the game was over, the penalty could not be enforced and the referee stated it was declined by rule. The officials did rule it a touchdown making the final score 23-14."