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Poinsettia Bowl: Officials concede call was incorrect

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What up D-News? | 1:26 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Why do you have a BYU-homer like Scott Taylor writing about the Utes? Obviously, Taylor was going to pick something negative to write about, and he did. Next time D-News, try having someone that knows even a tiny, little bit about the team write something.
NachoGrande | 2:05 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
You are right Scott let's play the what if game...
-What if Ludwig could have figured out before the second half that passing on Navy actually works?
-What if Navy passed for 800 yards and ran for 300 yards?
-What if the nation wasn't at war at this time, would Navy had won?
-What if aliens came down during the game looking for signs of intelligence and you were passed over?
-What if Austin Collie was playing for Navy, would God have blessed the Midshipment with a victory?
-What if you had 3 friends who could sell my "miralce health juice" to their 3 friends, etc.
I think there is one thing we can all agree on, what if you your silly article wasn't published... we would all be better off.
Anonymous | 2:11 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
face it the utes can't win unless they get breaks from the stips...but enjoy your spectacular victory over a weak academy football team. harline and collie are still open!
Comments continue below
grumpolman | 5:56 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Sounds like the Utes give credence to the phrase "It's better to be lucky than good". How can you criticise the D-News for writing something negative about the officials admitting a major blown call when the utes are endlessly complaining about two obvious calls against them at BYU claiming "that's why we lost". When a call in their bowl game probably made the difference in their lucky win.
Irrelevant | 6:22 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Utah didn't score, Navy went 4 and out. And I don't want to hear any of this "well they would have scored if starting from the 20 and not the 1 inch line" from any BYU fans looking to discredit another win. If you really think where the ball was changes Navy's playcalling then I would disagree. I don't think they ran more than 4-5 different plays the whole game anyways.

I'm not saying the call was right, it was obviously wrong...just that it shouldn't taint the win because Navy had more than enough chances.
Anonymous | 7:20 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Hey BYU...quit whining and by the way did you hear Lou Holtz not once, not twice, but three seperate times claim that Utah, "has the best non-BCS personnel in the country". BYU..that includes you, regardless of what your your weak tiny minds might think...
Pipes | 7:39 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Once again the game is decided by poor officiating and not the players. There is no excuse for the review officals to miss that call. Someone should be held accountable for that blunder.
Finally a call goes to Utah | 7:41 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Hey Anonymous:

Are you serious? I guess I need to remind you of the free 30 yards byu received on its final drive against Utah from 2 horrible calls.

It is nice to have a bad call go our way for a change. Now I know how it feels to be byu.
Not Irrelevant | 7:49 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Everyone one knows, even Andy Ludwig (which it seems he doesn't know much) that play calling at the 1 inch line is much different than at the 20. Navy got hosed on a play call that everyone at home KNEW it was a touchback.

It is unfortunate to see Utah's good win be tainted, but it is, a bit.

I also question why Utah's play calling is so awful. Does anyone think that Whittingham shouldn't have changed the offensive scheme ONE BIT after the Fiesta Bowl run? But, does the offense resemble that one at all?

fed up | 8:04 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
There are DOZENS of examples over the past couple of years of game officials getting clear, unambiguous replay feeds and still getting the call wrong.

Make them wear microphones and do their deliberations on camera so that the whole process is public. Let's see if they are corrupt, cowardly or simply stupid.

In this case I suspect cowardly. Their lame admission handed to bowl officials after they've collected their check and are on the way to the airport is little solace. There's simply no excuse.

Do replay correctly, or not at all!
Life'sLessons | 8:29 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Sometimes the calls from the officials are against you and sometimes they go your way, welcome to the imperfect world of sports officiating. I had a basketball referee tell me once �I�ll stop making bad calls when you stop missing your shots, especially free throws�. It is time for the Ute fans to realize that they may have got a break this time and for the BYU fans to realize they may have got a break in the BYU � Utah football game this year. Get over it and learn this one lesson � Life is not always fair, no matter what.
Little Change on Outcome | 8:36 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
The blown call had no change on the game. The triple option that Navy runs would have had them calling the same plays on the 20 as it does on backed on their goal-line. No body likes to see bad calls but this one had no change on the outcome of the game.

An to Anonymous, BYU should now all to well about benefiting from bad calls, so think twice about what you write next time. As for Navy being a week oponent, BYU has lost to them more than once in a bowl game. Once again think before you write.
No Harm, No Foul | 8:39 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Come on, Cougars! Can't we just have a truce during bowl season? Each team needs the other to grab a bowl victory for the good of the conference. I don't understand why some, though I'm sure a minority, of BYU fans have to come complain about the officiating. Navy isn't a top 25 team, but they've had a pretty good year. That Utah win was good for the MWC and BYU.

As for the specific call, it really didn't make a difference. Navy ran the ball just about every play, and it would have been no different on the 20. Utah would have gotten the ball back inside the 30 and scored just the same. In fact, the way Navy struggled to stop the Utes in the second half, the blown call may actually have given Navy a better chance to win. If Utah got the ball on the 29 instead of the 9, it would have taken Utah that much longer to get into the end-zone, and Navy wouldn't have had as much time to get back in the game. The refs had to note the mistake, but it didn't affect the outcome.
ron in oc | 8:41 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
If it was the wrong call, too bad. Show me a game in any sport where all the calls are perfect. I'm sure that from time to time a bad call can make a difference but in the long run, it's the team that wins the game. I'm a BYU fan and I loved the Utah win. Great game and I hope that Utah wins every game they play except the BYU game.
Truth hurts | 8:44 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Win is tainted, period. It is an obvious DISADVANTAGE to start that deep in one's own territory versus the 20.
Anonymous | 9:00 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
it would have made a difference if they did get the call right...they stuffed them on the goal line right after that....which gave them more momentum...get real
Irrelevant doesnt know jack | 9:01 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Of course their play calling would have been different from the 20, instead of the 1/2.

Just look at the splits their offensive linemen were taking backed up on their goalline. Completely different situation. It was a horrible, horrible call. No excuse for that.
wii | 9:02 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Navy should have had the ball at the 20 which would have changed the whole complexion of the game. Face it Utah you gotta cheat um to beat um! Give the little trophey you got to Navy!
Anonymous | 9:03 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
wow who else to write a story like this! right guys! dick harmons my boy!
Ummmm | 9:06 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
The rule book is pretty unclear on this and kind of contradictory. Look at the NCAA Rule Book: Section 2. Out Of Bounds: Ball Out of Bounds, Article 3.a. A ball not in player posession, other than a kick that scores a field goal, is out of bounds when it touches the ground, a player, a game official, **or anything else that is on or outside a boundary line.** (pylons are outside the boundary line as article 3.b. will clarify)
b. A ball that touches a pylon is out of bounds.

So really, what should the call be? I think given the circumstances, they called it right. I think the NCAA needs to make the rule a bit more defined.
Re: Irrelevant | 9:08 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Not discrediting the win... Just discrediting the Ute fans who BOOO HOO HOO HOOOOOOO about things that don't seem to go in their favor, yet try to wax eloquent over irrelevant pieces of the game that went in their favor.

We can at least agree on the fact that the win is comprised of the entire 60 minutes, and that one blown call was not the deciding factor in the game.

Maybe, rather than sticking up for the play, you should be wondering why the defense allowed Navy to score on a pass play over the middle, and recover an onside kick.

You know, when it all comes down to it, I think that sometimes when you're doing the things that you're supposed to, the good Lord looks down on you and pats you on the back and gives you a little blessing... When those things happen, it's like magic.

Re: NachoGrande - Very funny!
Utah's Real Bowl game1 | 9:10 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
The Utes lost their Bowl game. It was in November. This was an example of licking wounds and trying to forget the real pain that continues to ache.

They will feel this pain once again next year as we create Chaos for the Utes.

The Cougar devoured the Ute. All that is left is carnage.

Nice win over Navy? We always have to leave some scraps. BYU ownes Utah. Period.
Pedro | 9:16 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
It sounds like there are to many Ute fans that can't stand hearing that they won by luck or a bad call made by the ref's. I don't give this game to the ref's and I think Utah would have won either way but it is still news when the officials actually come out and give a statement saying they made a bad call. When was the last time you hear that happening? For me it has never happened, officials act and feel to "high and mighty" to ever acknowledge that they made a mistake and they would back their call to the grave. So those of you who think this shouldn't be written are just trying to give yourselves every out that Utah won because they were the better team. No matter what you all think this is news and I for one am happy to see it and give these officials credit for standing up and admitting a mistake.
LB | 9:18 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Utah crybabies! What does anything that happened on the field last night between Utah and Navy have to do with BYU. Grow up, Utat fans!
You know, I have a BA from Utah and a MS and Ph.D. from BYU. While at Utah I noted that every single day there was an article in the Chronicle that was critical of BYU, the LDS Church, or Mormons in general. When I was at BYU working on my graduate degrees (5 total years) I noted that hardly ever, maybe once a week at the most, was there an article about the UofU, whether negative or positive.
Get a life, Utah!!!
UteGary | 9:18 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
What about the unexplainable pass interference call when the ball was behind the receiver and uncatchable because the defender was between him and the ball. It gave Navy a 1st down by penalty on their way to a touchdown. Wasn't that a blown call also? You rarely hear the officials admitting a mistake. Why last night? Why this game? They make bad calls and non-calls all the time. We never get much of an explanation. It would be nice at the end of the season of which official was considered as being good or not. Have the conference give them a grade and explain if they are retained or not.

I realize these officials were not from the MWC. Thank heavens, it could have been a poorer called game.
MikeH | 9:22 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Yeah that is why Utah was how many consecutive conference wins and Championships?
Lou Holtz is rediculous | 9:28 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
I have to admit I gave into my BYU Pride and cheered for the Mtn west conference last night; however, Lou Holtz' comments on Utah being the #1 non-BCS team was absolutely rediculous. And I'm not just saying that because BYU beat them but because Utah isn't even ranked. There are tons of non BCS teams that are clearly better than Utah.

That comment was just rediculous. I can't believe they allow him to do play by play. Regardless of his coaching career most his comments are off the wall.
ron | 9:33 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
yea anon, that is why holtz is on t.v. and no longer coaching. He really knows his stuff. Utah looked good with their passing attack the second half. Those of us who have seen Utah play knew what was coming but navy was not able to stop it. Congratulations to the Utes. They won the game and that is all that matters.
UteGary | 9:33 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
What about the onside kick call? It wasn't even reviewed, it should have been. It appeared to me that Sylvester had the ball before he went down to the ground and we couldn't see anything because of the Navy bench.
jashill | 9:38 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Why did the officials make a public statement about a blown call in this game. Every game has several bad calls. They should have just shut up because the announcement makes no difference, but to taint a win by a gutsy team that would have found a way to win regardless.

BYU FAN
differences | 9:43 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
the calls against Utah on the last drive by BYU are considered "questionable" by some, the call FOR Utah against Navy was "WRONG" there is a difference, those calls against Utah were technically correct, but were not consistent with how they called the rest of the game, the call for Utah was wrong, there is no technically, its just wrong
We need more info! | 9:43 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Instant replay has revealed what football loudmouths have been spewing for years. "refs are blind" It is absolutely true(outcome of the game aside) that refs are seeing things in a different way than the rest of the world. How else do you explain crystal clear evidence being ignored or interpreted in the wrong way. Replay has revealed this. It makes me wonder what kind of personalities are officiating these games. We need more information about the process, the evaluation, the training, etc. I completely understand a call made in the moment; however, when there is a clear slow motion up close view that goes the wrong way the integrity of the process is completely undermined. WE need more info!
Outcome of the game aside.
re: Lou Holtz comments | 9:46 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Come on, don't be silly. Who cares what Lou Holtz says, you sound desperate and insecure. Do you really need validation from some guy who couldn't care less about these teams other than the fact he's paid to talk about the game. It's like listening to Vitale praising BYU's basketball team against Louisville and NC -- we like to hear nice things, but don't mistake all the praise as being sincere and serious, eh says stuff like that during every game he announces. Besides, if Utah really does have the best personel, what does that say about a mediocre 9-4 record? Who gets the blame for not being better?
Carl | 9:53 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
You are not going to consider Lou Holtz an expert are you? This guy is a complete boob and if he had not failed at some fairly prestigious universities, he would not even have a job.

Ben | 9:54 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
After the stop, Navy chose to run a quick quarterback draw on 1st down for minimal gain. If they had been at the twenty they probably run the option outside and don't turn the ball over on downs (or even with the same play calling, just cause there isn't a slick spot they don't turn it over on downs)

There is no excuse for blowing that replay. It was not a close or difficult call. I have a small grainy TV. But when I can freeze frame the player inbounds without the ball, or So'oto on his knee with the ball and the officials aren't fixing the calls something is Rotten in the State of Denmark.
Navy's Head Coach Comment | 10:02 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
I don't know if you saw and/or heard but Navy's head coach said that whether they were on the 1 inch line or the 20 yard line, he STILL would have called the same 4 plays. After all, that's all they have, fullback dive, option QB run, option pitch, straight pitch. Do your homework BYU fans before you bash.
Stevarino | 10:02 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
I NEVER want to hear another Yewt fan complain about reffing after this obviously bad call against Navy. Any intelligent fan knows that bad calls go either way in any given game. You apppreciate the ones that go for you and live with the ones that go against you. My problem with the Yewts is that everyone writes in as if they were a passionate fan. There was TOTAL lack of red in the stadium. They couldn't even sell half of their allotted tickets. What's the matter Yewt fans, your boss couldn't get anyone else to work the drive thru window???
Fire Ludwig | 10:05 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
He had weeks to prepare for the worst pass defense in the nation and he throws the ball seven times for 27 yards? Why does he continually outsmart himself? Why did he not do what the rest of the nation knew to do until the 3rd quarter? The only two what ifs here are:

What if Ludwig wasn't the OC at Utah, how good would they be?
What if Ludwig would have thrown the ball all game, would this call really have mattered?

Hey Ludwig what if, for next year, you draw up a quadruple reverse, do you think we would get negative 15 or 18 yards on the play?

OK. Regarding the Holtz comment | 10:14 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
I cheer for Utah when they're playing out of conference teams. In conference, I don't care if they win or lose, as long as they lose to BYU. I'm glad they beat Navy. Congrats.

However, if Utah in fact does have the best non-BCS talent in the country, they have the worst non-BCS coaching staff in the country. Again, congrats.
Come On Scott | 10:15 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Certainly, the call was newsworthy and needs to be reported.

But to state that the result "certainly affected" certain things is a little over the top.

The difference in time was about 3 seconds (the time to run the 4th and goal play) so the call didn't affect game time at all. Did it "certainly affect" Navy's playcalling? According to Navy, they call the same plays whether it is 1st and 10 from their 1 or from their 20 yard line. So how can Scott say for sure it affected their playcalling?

I don't even know how he can say it "certainly" affected momentum. Stuffing Utah on the goalline certainly swung momentum in Navy's favor just 3 or 4 seconds after the would be touchback.

I think the DNews should report the error and state possible affects on the game but get rid of the "certainly" stuff.
look out for the band wagon | 10:22 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Just think, the utes had a decent season. Shucks, now I'm going to have to deal with more closet people who are only Utah fans win they win a game...
To Lou Holtz is ridiculous | 10:23 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
You didn't understand what Lou said. His statement was that Utah was the most talented non-bcs team, not the #1 non-bcs team, that is obviously Hawaii. One of the pre-season pubs said the same thing, but still picked them to finish 4th in the conference. It may be true, it may not be, but that is what he said. In a way it is almost a condemnation of the coaching staff (If you have the most talent, you should win). Great win. Nobody but BYU and Navy fans will remember the call, and a win is a win. People whining about it being tainted on both sides of the argument are lame.
another tainted win | 10:31 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Navy would have won the game if the officials had called that one right. That bad call put them in a very tough position and they were robbed. Put an aterisk next to this win for Utah. How embarrassing.
Too late now | 10:37 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Nice of the officials to fess up right after the game, too bad they didn't get it right during the game. Navy most likely would have won if the right call was made. This is going to leave a very bitter taste in their mouths and I know the Utes would feel the same way if had happened to them (can you say lynch mob?). Yes, put a big old asterisk next to this win.
re: LB | 10:40 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Whatever you say Dr. LB...go back to your own message board. If we wine so much why are you here? Why do you care? Leave and quit winning about the Ute winners. In actuality, take a look, using your advanced degrees (which total five years of grad school) and look over the thread, you will notice that most of the crying it is coming from cougartown.
Ummm Some More | 10:44 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
The rulebook also states that a player cannot fumble forward while the player is moving out of bounds. This is part of the rule to prevent the offense from being able to intentionally fumble forward and recover the ball in the endzone for a touchdown.

The ball was clearly moving forward.
No Difference? | 10:45 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
No Duh? Of course the call made a difference. Even if you run the ball, running from the 20 vs. the 1 yard line is huge. Not to mention the clock-management issues and the decision to go for it on 4th down. That being said, good win for the Utes. Poinsettia Bowl Champs 2007. The first of 30+ teams to end their season as champions of something.
Unbelievable | 10:47 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
The refs even used instant replay to review the call and still got it wrong during the game! I guess they didn't completely understand the rule on this situation and someone else had to explain it to them later? That one bad call was vey significant and likely would have changed the final score with Navy getting the win. Now we'll never know.
RE: Ute Gary | 10:49 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Actually, the PI call was correct. The ball landed near the feet of the DB and Reciever. The reciever was turned looking back trying to catch the ball, however, the DB kept going down field. If the DB turns and looks for the ball he has every right to go after it, however, if he fails to look for the ball and makes contact like that it a PI call every time. He was in perfect position, he just failed to turn and look for the ball. A big No No...
Holtz | 10:51 a.m. Dec. 21, 2007
Any unbiased Ute fan has to agree that Lou Holtz's comments really had no validity. In 2004, Holtz would have been 100% correct. Since then, not even close. Remember, Utah lost 3 conference games which resulted in a 3rd place finish in the Mountain West. 3rd place in the "weaker" Mountain West, but the best non-BCS team? Doesn't make a lot of sense to me Lou. I'm not saying BYU is the best non-BCS team either (you obviously need to look at Hawaii, Boise State, and others), but the last two years they have been proven to be a better team then Utah by going undefeated in conference two straight years. Boise State last year and Hawaii this year proved to BYU that they are better because they also went undefeated in their non-conference schedule and BYU did not. Next time Lou Holtz makes a statement like that, he needs to be able to back it up.

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