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BYU football: Willingham reluctantly accepts call
103 comments | Read story
mexican BYU fan | 12:25 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Congrats to the cougars. Heck of a game. Rules are the rules, the rule sucks but
it had to be called because it was broken. Give credit to BYU on the last play,
they had enough will and desire to block that kick to win the game. My mexican
possy and I were very pleased with the win. However, we need to tighten up our
defense a little, we're slow. That's definately BYU's weakness.
Beat UCLA!
Didn't mind the call until | 1:30 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
The call happened and I thought tough luck Washington until I had to hear
Bronco's lame analysis on the whole thing. I hope BYU fans remember
Bronco's words when BYU is on the other end of that type of call. Who
knows what would've happened in OT or if BYU would've blocked the PAT
anyway. I am sure Bronco is a good man but can Holmoe pay for some public
speaking classes and have a tutor teach him not to come across so smug in his
post game interviews.
Dale | 2:05 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
I'm glad coach Willingham appears able to take this like a man, unlike
mainstream sportscasters...is it just me, or do they, the sportscasters, sound
like the whiny babies BYU is always accused of being?
Comments continue below
Jakartafan | 4:29 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
To say that officials should ignore penalties because the game is close or in
the last minute is absurd. The officials' job is to call the game the same
for both teams - they need to be blind to score, clock and uniform color. It may
have been mild as celebrations go, but it did technically violate the rule. The
question is not whether it should have been called in the last minute, but
whether it would have been called had it occured in the first minute. BYU has
been victimized by a lot of picky excessive celebration penalties through the
years, so it is hard to feel a lot of sympathy. These were Pac 10 officals in a
Pac 10 stadium - notorious for "homer" calls the past few years. It
is poetic justice that the Pac 10 folks are whining about Pac 10 refs!
lucky | 5:05 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Wimps from Provo got a lucky call. Your luck will run out soon.
Jakartafan | 5:13 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Unfortunately for UW, the celebration rule doesn't require much judgement
on the part of the officals - the ball was definitely thrown in the air. But in
any call that required judgement - mainly offensive holding - it pretty much
went all their way. There were a couple of times rushers were basically tackled
from behind! They got more than their share of "no calls", as you
expect of Pac 10 crews in a Pac 10 venue. Of course, without Harvey's
fumble we wouldn't even be talking about this. The PAT attempt would only
be to bring them back within a touchdown. BYU deserved the win. They
didn't steal it.
BYU is still hated | 7:03 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
The TV commentators on the Florida-Miami game were even complaining about the
celebration call on Locker. There are an awful lot of people in this country
that are like stupid Ute fans and are constantly pulling for anyone that plays
BYU. It will only get worse this year, as long as the Cougars continue to win.
The only way to avoid it is to wallop everyone they play, and I'm afraid
that won't happen this week against UCLA. So get prepared for some more
complaining about officiating and the like...
Ham | 7:06 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
It takes more than one or two plays to win or lose a game. The Huskies should
not pin their woes on the penalty call, nor the Cougars their joy on the blocked
kick.
byu student | 7:20 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
I could not believe how much play this penalty got on ESPN. The real story is
that washington held our defensive linemen numerous times throughout the game
and to make big plays to keep that final drive alive. The refs didn't call
one holding penalty all game. Tiavela (#77) was tackled on a critical fourth
down play when he had beaten his blocker and was in Locker's face. The
refs were terrible. Calling this penalty didn't take anything away from
the huskies, a "pac-10" team should be able to hit a 35 yard extra
point without trouble.
Shame | 7:51 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Stupid rule, and in that scenario, flags should stay in the pocket. Any team
that is in Washington's shoes would agree. If the tables were turned, BYU
fans, or anyone's fans to whom it happened, wouldn't be so strict
about enforcing the rule. Shame the game ended that way. As a fan of neither
team, I was looking forward to OT. I like watching that Locker kid play.
Remember | 7:58 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Remember when a win was a win and a loss a loss, Now this litigious society
debates everything and practically ruins the game. Refs will always make a bad
call at some point or two.
Anonymous | 8:02 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
The kick was blocked. End of story.
If you are a champion, you make your kick from 35 yards out.
How many field goals are blocked from 35 yards? Not many.
It is interesting the irrational nature of some of the Ute fans (likely a small vocal minority). As a BYU fan I wanted Utah to beat Michigan, I want them to go undefeated until we meet in Nov - want a battle that will be with the winning team going to the BCS. 34-31 BYU.
If you are a champion, you make your kick from 35 yards out.
How many field goals are blocked from 35 yards? Not many.
It is interesting the irrational nature of some of the Ute fans (likely a small vocal minority). As a BYU fan I wanted Utah to beat Michigan, I want them to go undefeated until we meet in Nov - want a battle that will be with the winning team going to the BCS. 34-31 BYU.
my take.... | 8:10 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
It was frustrating to listen to Mark May and Lou Holtz, who probably didn't
watch even a minute of the gam, and who (in the case of May at least) really
hate the concept of BCS busters, analyze that penalty. I am not one to blame
the loss of a game on the ref's but there was a big disparity in calls
between UW and BYU, and it is generally the case whenever the MWC plays PAC-10,
because even if you get a home and home, the officiating is to my knowledge
PAC10...it is often hard to watch PAC10 vs MWC for that reason.
With that being said, the calls overall were not too bad in yesterday's game at least from what I saw, although replays don't always tell the whole story, they don't generally show the penalties that were not called on the other side.
All I know is for any BCS, especially PAC 10 sympathizer to be analyzing and feeling sorry the PAC 10 based on one call vs the big, mean and bad MWC is idiotic at best.
With that being said, the calls overall were not too bad in yesterday's game at least from what I saw, although replays don't always tell the whole story, they don't generally show the penalties that were not called on the other side.
All I know is for any BCS, especially PAC 10 sympathizer to be analyzing and feeling sorry the PAC 10 based on one call vs the big, mean and bad MWC is idiotic at best.
Re: Shame | 8:25 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Do you really think that if the same thing happened to BYU in that game, and BYU
would have lost that Mark May and Lou Holtz would have stopped whatever coverage
and analysis of other games, to spend 5 minutes slamming on the officials and
talking about how unfair the game was...especially when that was the only play
that they saw in the game?
Again, as in all PAC 10 vs MWC games whether home or away...THEY ARE PAC 10 OFFICIALS!!! Let me say again (with a mom voice talking to a baby). Did the big, mean and bad MWC team win over the PAC 10 by cheating...? What a meanie...!!! Come on the game I saw was a fairly one sided affair. Washington should have lost by two touchdowns...
Bronco...please give the prevent defense its finally resting place...please!
Again, as in all PAC 10 vs MWC games whether home or away...THEY ARE PAC 10 OFFICIALS!!! Let me say again (with a mom voice talking to a baby). Did the big, mean and bad MWC team win over the PAC 10 by cheating...? What a meanie...!!! Come on the game I saw was a fairly one sided affair. Washington should have lost by two touchdowns...
Bronco...please give the prevent defense its finally resting place...please!
Anonymous | 8:26 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
The celebration call was ridiculous. Locker did not show anyone up. He did not
address the Cougars, the umpires or the crowd. He went to his team. I've
seen more celebration after first downs or sacks. Maybe the Huskies don't
win the game if they go into OT, but they at least deserved to play it. For the
Cougar coach to say it was within the rules was ludicrous. I'd love to see
what he'd say if the shoe was on the other foot. What a ridiculous way to
win. Fans wanted to see Locker in OT and a stupid call took it away.
Rob | 8:32 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Hey,it shouldn't of even come down to that. Washington got every break and
still coudn;t get it done.The call was all over ESPN Saturday,I wonder if would
have BYU that gotten the call how the national media would handled it. Remember
it was at there place with there refs, get over Ute & Washington fans.
Props to Willingham | 8:32 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
A classy coach. Mark May and Lou Holtz with ESPN are bafoons the way they
described it all went down. Holtz said the ball came out as he was raising his
hands in celebration...please. May said it didn't go "high"
after they just show the replay. I suspect the ball was between 15-20 yards in
the air.
Val Savidge | 8:35 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
There were so many bogus calls and no-calls by these refs that worked against
BYU in the first half. And seriously "The kick was blocked, end of
story".
It was a fun game to watch! As *football* fans let's be happy we got to experience a great game, and see some big plays from both teams! UW fans can be proud of Locker's lion-hearted attempt at a comeback, and BYU fans can be proud of making the big play when it was needed.
It was a fun game to watch! As *football* fans let's be happy we got to experience a great game, and see some big plays from both teams! UW fans can be proud of Locker's lion-hearted attempt at a comeback, and BYU fans can be proud of making the big play when it was needed.
js | 8:39 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
I am sure glad to read in these comments that someone else saw the obvious
holding that Washington did on their final drive. It was so obvious that the
Washington player pulled down the BYU defender after he got by the defender, and
surely would have sacked Locker, and Washington would probably not have scored.
I have to believe the refs saw that and did not call it. One more comment that
might be interesting. In the Utah game when Asiata threw the touchdown, the
reciever crossed the goal line and threw the ball straight up in the air, it was
not called.For what it's worth.
Rick | 8:50 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
BYU was a better team most of the day. Didn't like the call but you have
to give some credit to the blocked PAT. Who is to say they would not have
blocked no matter where it was kicked from. UW played well but were not as good
as BYU on this day. It is funny on good teams get lucky breaks and calls. UW
is young and will get better. BYU has another fun game comming up this week.
Cork | 8:58 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Good proximity notwithstanding, it's time to sever ties with the PAC 10 (or
any other conference) which is so smug that it refuses to allow other conference
referees do PAC 10 games. These guys have a sullied reputation that is
disgraceful. Impartiality is joke on the west coast.
It really is justice to a small degree that these same officials threw that flag. By rule it had to be thrown, and the ref(s) that did are going to pay dearly in that conference this week. They deserve whatever they get. Don't like the rule? Change it. In the meantime, play ball and dump the PAC 10.
It really is justice to a small degree that these same officials threw that flag. By rule it had to be thrown, and the ref(s) that did are going to pay dearly in that conference this week. They deserve whatever they get. Don't like the rule? Change it. In the meantime, play ball and dump the PAC 10.
Disparity in # of calls | 9:04 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
shows that PAC-10 officials did everything in their power to insure UW victory.
Look at the stats-there were 14 calls for 146 yards on BYU and only 3 calls for
25 yards against UW.
How many holds, blocks in the backs, PI, etc against UW were ignored over the course of the game.
Only sad that one final righteous call against UW makes it seems like BYU stole a game that they should've won handily.
BYU Defense is a big concern. No improvement and we lose to both TCU and Utah, as well as UCLA next week.
How many holds, blocks in the backs, PI, etc against UW were ignored over the course of the game.
Only sad that one final righteous call against UW makes it seems like BYU stole a game that they should've won handily.
BYU Defense is a big concern. No improvement and we lose to both TCU and Utah, as well as UCLA next week.
Anonymous | 9:32 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
That intentional grounding should of been a fumble and washington would not of
scored the touchdown.
WA Cougar | 9:37 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
It's about time the refs woke up and called the Huskies for their numerous
infractions. The final acore says it all, BYU won.
Voice of Reason | 9:53 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
The celebration rule is poorly written. The way Locker threw the ball in the
air was not taunting, which is what the rule is designed to prevent. Pac-10
officials are horrible. Its a shame the game ended the way it did. If a
penalty wasn't called and I was Willingham I would have gone for two but
that decision was taken away from him by the ridiculous call. BYU better
tighten up their game or the BCS run will not happen.
Anonymous | 9:57 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Mendenhall said it best..."I didn't see it."
That's because there was nothing to see. The celebration was not excessive. If it was you would have seen it. Ridiculous.
That's because there was nothing to see. The celebration was not excessive. If it was you would have seen it. Ridiculous.
true blue | 10:26 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Jakartafan is right. BYU has been kicking PAT's from 35 yards out for a
long time. And it's hard to feel sorry for a Pac 10 team getting homered
by their own lame officials. Last years UCLA game and the Arizona game from a
couple years ago the OU-UO game where the officials gave two touchdowns to the
Ducks.
35 yard field goal on a sunny day in seattle shouldn't be that hard to make. Look at the pictures of the PAT try you see the UW kicker and then all White.
ECU will be ranked higher than BYU in this weeks polls, and they deserve it.
35 yard field goal on a sunny day in seattle shouldn't be that hard to make. Look at the pictures of the PAT try you see the UW kicker and then all White.
ECU will be ranked higher than BYU in this weeks polls, and they deserve it.
Re: Shame | 10:33 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
The refs had already done enough to try and help Washington win the game. There
is no doubt the better team won. before that penalty was called there were 7
penalties for BYU and 1 for Washington. That's pretty homering. Plus they
wouldn't let the game end. Was those the russian refs from the 72 olympics?
Oh wait nope they were pac10 refs same thing.
USC #1 | 10:42 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
You kitten fans love being the victim. Everyone is against you and your team.
The whole world (media, Utah fans) wants you to lose. Give me a break. It was a
bad call. ESPN et. al would have been making the same arguments if the table was
turned as would the lame BYU fans. Get over yourselves. What is important is
that BYU needed to block a PAT to prevent OT against another terrible pac ten
team. Reminiscent of the Vegas bowl. In fact the comparisons are uncanny. Just
like last december you fans spent the week prior talking trash about what a
terrible team your kittens have to play. But once again the terrible team stayed
toe to toe with your terrible team and it came to the last play of the game. And
then instead of being humbled, you celebrate like your team won the fiesta bowl.
(I guess it is about as close to winning the fiesta bowl as your team will ever
get though.) Your team is overrated by those same media members who are saying
it was a bad call so quit whining.
Get Smart | 10:43 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
ESPN had on an official from the NCAA rules committee last night to talk about
the penalty on Washington. In his estimation, the official made the right call
and the player did violate the rule as dictated by the NCAA. The official had
to make the call. The rule may be stupid, but it was still violated. This
official said that video and information to clarify these points of emphasis
this year were sent to every coach to review with their players.
All the blame is being aimed at the officials who made the call. However, as a player you also must play intelligently. Jake Locker should have been more cautious in his celebration an not put an official in the position to have to make this call. Willingham as the coach should also have made his team aware of the rules that have been made points of concern, if not, that is poor coaching. I watched 100 touchdowns yesterday, and did not see one, other than that of Locker that violated the rules. That means many other players have found a way to control their emotion. This is Jake Lockers fault.
All the blame is being aimed at the officials who made the call. However, as a player you also must play intelligently. Jake Locker should have been more cautious in his celebration an not put an official in the position to have to make this call. Willingham as the coach should also have made his team aware of the rules that have been made points of concern, if not, that is poor coaching. I watched 100 touchdowns yesterday, and did not see one, other than that of Locker that violated the rules. That means many other players have found a way to control their emotion. This is Jake Lockers fault.
Enforce the rules! | 10:51 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
IF this happens in the second quarter NOBODY says anything! this is the problem
with officiating sports officials adjust based on the game situation. I have
heard over and over "in the end of the game... blah blah blah are we really
going to have a set a of rules of the first 3 quarters and a new set for the
forth? The NBA should have taught us long ago that does't work!
Anti-ESPN | 10:59 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
It's funny how the ESPN commentators never showed Unga's fumble or
talked about how we dominated statitically.
I bet if one of their favorites won after a celebration call they would have reported it totally different.
I bet if one of their favorites won after a celebration call they would have reported it totally different.
Obviously | 11:05 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Locker's penalty didn't lose the game, Washington's field goal
team lost the game.... end of story. If you cant kick a 35 yard field goal, you
don't deserve the win.
Anonymous | 11:07 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
This was an exciting game. All sports are only to entertain, regardless of who
wins. Let's keep this in prespective.
Re: BYU is still hated | 11:32 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
It's not an issue with BYU. ESPN hates the entire MWC. Remember when the
MWC kind of screwed ESPN by making their own television channel that nobody can
even watch, has horrible picture quality and horrible play by play?? Yeah,
that's why ESPN is ticked.
powderhound00 | 11:43 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
I have watched in horror on many occasions as a heroic effort by a team or a
player is punished because of this moronic rule. Make no mistake, the penalty
was called according to the rules, and a non-call would have been a disservice
to BYU (again, according to the rules), but this only emphasizes the necessity
of a rules change! I have never understood why the NCAA feels it necessary to
take all emotion, elation or otherwise, out of a game like football.
I feel for you Washington, and fear not, BYU (along with every other team) will get punished similarly sooner or later.
By the way, ESPN's reaction, as well as the reaction of most of the sports media is typical. They will focus on the call, and consequently detract from the great play that actually won the game!
If you want to see a truly game changing call, watch Oklahoma vs. Oregon in 2006. Oklahoma literally lost that game because of a bad call. Oklahoma made the game saving play but the PAC-10 officials decided otherwise. It was a call that even the instant replay crew got totally wrong, when the replay was obvious!
I feel for you Washington, and fear not, BYU (along with every other team) will get punished similarly sooner or later.
By the way, ESPN's reaction, as well as the reaction of most of the sports media is typical. They will focus on the call, and consequently detract from the great play that actually won the game!
If you want to see a truly game changing call, watch Oklahoma vs. Oregon in 2006. Oklahoma literally lost that game because of a bad call. Oklahoma made the game saving play but the PAC-10 officials decided otherwise. It was a call that even the instant replay crew got totally wrong, when the replay was obvious!
Anonymous | 11:42 a.m. Sept. 7, 2008
There were numerous no calls on both sides. BYU likes to hold on the periphery,
which is amazing because all they had to do is run up the gut. BYU had more
calls because the line was very jumpy. That can be expected playing on the road
but that will needed to be tightened up a bit. The one real bogus call was the
late hit on Locker, the defender started the tackling motion as Locker went out
of bounds. But there was a bad late hit not called against BYU in the third
quarter, so I figured it worked itself out.
Oh, and recheck your stats or check your paranoria (those who said BYU had 146 yards in penalties)
BYU Penalties- 7 for 60 yards, most of those jumpy false starts. Take away the bogus late hit, 45 yards of penalties. I suppose BYU fans think those false starts are home town cookin' calls?
UW Penalties- 4 for 25.
Oh, and recheck your stats or check your paranoria (those who said BYU had 146 yards in penalties)
BYU Penalties- 7 for 60 yards, most of those jumpy false starts. Take away the bogus late hit, 45 yards of penalties. I suppose BYU fans think those false starts are home town cookin' calls?
UW Penalties- 4 for 25.
Holding | 12:11 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
I for one DO NOT want every infraction called on every play. Games are long
enough. There is holding on EVERY PLAY. If the officials called every holding
because it's in the rule book the games would go on forever.
Chester Blue | 12:11 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Good class shown by Willingham. Obviously, the best athlete on the field was
Jake Locker. At the next level, he could play a skilled position such as running
back or wideout. Boy is he dangerous when he uses his feet. I can't
remember watching a big man with that quick of feet in a long time. But how
about Unga! His feet are pretty quick too and he is so patient at picking a seem
before quickly bursting through for a nice gain. Although he has a great O-Line
and bruising fullback (Fui) in front of him, he makes quite a few yards on his
own. He will play on Sunday and if Fui continues to shine as a lead blocker, he
too could find a roster spot and stick just like the Ma'Falawala guy from
Utah back in the mid nineties. Dennis Pitta could play on Sunday if he found the
right situation like Indianapolis because he's not a terrific blocker but
he may be the best receiving tight end in the country. Wow! This offense is good
but our defense has to step it up against UCLA next week at home and they will.
next game | 12:16 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Hopefully the players put this game out of their minds. They earned the victory.
PERIOD. Neither team controls the refs.
Looking forward to next week, the Cougs are in for some real trouble. UCLA has come from nowhere (supposed to finish in bottom half of PAC-10) to beat Tennessee and gain national attention. Unfortunately, UCLA had a bye-week, so they will be more than prepared for the cougs. The cougars cannot win against a team with a quick and talented secondary which they'll find in UCLA. The cougs need some luck and hopefully UCLA coughs up the ball a couple times to give BYU a few extra shots for scores.
And a word of advice to the coaches this time around playing UCLA. Give Unga the ball more than a dozen times. Last year was despicable and the game would have been won if the cougars exercised a little more ball control and used the exceptional backs more than they did. They struggled in the first half and then it was all horrible passing play calls which played right into the Bruins' game plan. Come on Anae, the team is not the same passing attack of the 80s and 90s
Looking forward to next week, the Cougs are in for some real trouble. UCLA has come from nowhere (supposed to finish in bottom half of PAC-10) to beat Tennessee and gain national attention. Unfortunately, UCLA had a bye-week, so they will be more than prepared for the cougs. The cougars cannot win against a team with a quick and talented secondary which they'll find in UCLA. The cougs need some luck and hopefully UCLA coughs up the ball a couple times to give BYU a few extra shots for scores.
And a word of advice to the coaches this time around playing UCLA. Give Unga the ball more than a dozen times. Last year was despicable and the game would have been won if the cougars exercised a little more ball control and used the exceptional backs more than they did. They struggled in the first half and then it was all horrible passing play calls which played right into the Bruins' game plan. Come on Anae, the team is not the same passing attack of the 80s and 90s
Face It | 12:32 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
We cannot barely squeeze our way into a BCS bowl game. The Hawaii-Georgia
slaughter has the national pollsters justifiably pesimistic of non-BCS teams who
barely squeeze by weak BCS opponents. Say what you want but that's exactly
what we did Saturday. UCLA is our last chance to show we are not another Hawaii.
UCLA is ranked and a 2 or 3 td win will silence the skeptics. If we want this
BCS bowl we need to play like we are a top BCS team - not a non-BCS team getting
some lucky wins against weak BCS competition. Yes, this is critical and maybe
not fair but I strongly believe we have the talent to dominate. We should have
beaten UNI by more than 40 and UWA by at least 2 tds. The perception that maybe
we are not a top 15 team right now is our own fault. We have the team to shatter
that national bias - it better start against UCLA!
Reality - Dropped to #18 | 1:04 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Here is the reality - the national perception of a one point win against a weak
Washington team in which the refs helped us out just dropped us in the AP poll
three places from 15 to 18! East Carolina entered at 14. Just like that we are
no longer in the driver's seat for a BCS bowl game regardless of being
undefeated.
And we have no one to blame but ourselves!! We should have destroyed UNI and beaten Washington by 2-3 tds. This lates poll is reality of the fact that we CANNOT sneak our way into a BCS game by barely beating teams with our schedule and several other very good non-BCS teams out there.
And we have no one to blame but ourselves!! We should have destroyed UNI and beaten Washington by 2-3 tds. This lates poll is reality of the fact that we CANNOT sneak our way into a BCS game by barely beating teams with our schedule and several other very good non-BCS teams out there.
Heinz | 1:06 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
The officials in control won't be happy until we're reduced to a bunch
of robots with no emotion whatsover. I don't like the direction this is
all heading. Think about it, in all areas of our lives we are being opressed.
Re: Don't mind the call until | 1:12 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
So you feel Bronco was too smug for your liking?
Translation: You hate the Cougars and wanted Bronco to say the call was a sham and we were lucky to win.
I saw the interview with Bronco and he was straight up. He said the rules are the rules. What did you want him to say? Again, that we were lucky??
Bronco then went on to say that he was privileged to be on the same field as Jake Locker and gave him praise. He did say he was proud of his players.
I don't know what you expect out of Bronco. He definitely doesn't need "public speaking classes" as you suggest.
Only a smug Ute fan would suggest that.
Translation: You hate the Cougars and wanted Bronco to say the call was a sham and we were lucky to win.
I saw the interview with Bronco and he was straight up. He said the rules are the rules. What did you want him to say? Again, that we were lucky??
Bronco then went on to say that he was privileged to be on the same field as Jake Locker and gave him praise. He did say he was proud of his players.
I don't know what you expect out of Bronco. He definitely doesn't need "public speaking classes" as you suggest.
Only a smug Ute fan would suggest that.
Hang Time | 1:27 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
With the help of my DVR, I timed the hang-time of Locker's
"toss", and it got a full three seconds. Good punters will only
average four seconds.
I got a kick out of the FSN announcers, and the ESPN crew, saying that Locker simply "flipped the ball over his shoulder", or just "tossed the ball backwards".
It's a call refs should make under the present rules. I feel bad for Locker though, He is a class act. I watch him play as often as Husky games are televised.
I got a kick out of the FSN announcers, and the ESPN crew, saying that Locker simply "flipped the ball over his shoulder", or just "tossed the ball backwards".
It's a call refs should make under the present rules. I feel bad for Locker though, He is a class act. I watch him play as often as Husky games are televised.
Happiness is a thick steak | 2:11 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
- Locker was magnificent, and after the call appeared to be a class act. Bravo!
- Hall was brilliant.
- Unga was fantastic.
- Jorgensen is a stud.
- Thank goodness Darin Harris seems to have escaped major injury.
- The rule is bad. Blame the folks who crafted and approved the rule.
- Washington lost because it's line got CRUSHED on the PAT.
- ESPN is not anti-BYU (BYU-PITT was their first college FB game, and they've treated BYU well ever since, as far as I can tell).
- The MTN Network (or whatever it's called) is just as wise as the old expanded 64 team WAC (ok 16 teams, I got carried away...).
- The PAC-10 refs missed several big calls.
- Numerous teams have lost heartbreaking games they should have won because of officiating mistakes.
- The BCS was conceived to keep the mythical championship, and very real huge bowl revenues, in the coffers of a select few conferences.
- Had BYU lost, the reason would have been poor defense, the INT, and the fumble into the end zone.
- BYU's defense was hapless. UCLA will score at least 30 points, perhaps even 40+.
- Hall was brilliant.
- Unga was fantastic.
- Jorgensen is a stud.
- Thank goodness Darin Harris seems to have escaped major injury.
- The rule is bad. Blame the folks who crafted and approved the rule.
- Washington lost because it's line got CRUSHED on the PAT.
- ESPN is not anti-BYU (BYU-PITT was their first college FB game, and they've treated BYU well ever since, as far as I can tell).
- The MTN Network (or whatever it's called) is just as wise as the old expanded 64 team WAC (ok 16 teams, I got carried away...).
- The PAC-10 refs missed several big calls.
- Numerous teams have lost heartbreaking games they should have won because of officiating mistakes.
- The BCS was conceived to keep the mythical championship, and very real huge bowl revenues, in the coffers of a select few conferences.
- Had BYU lost, the reason would have been poor defense, the INT, and the fumble into the end zone.
- BYU's defense was hapless. UCLA will score at least 30 points, perhaps even 40+.
UCLA BY 10 | 2:28 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Referee won the game for BYU. Cougars don't deserve to be ranked.
DH | 2:32 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
The ESPN commentors comments had nothing to do with BYU. Quit being so
paranoid!
The celebration rule is stupid, plain and simple. It takes the best part of the game, emotion, out of it and should not exist. In this case it impacted the outcome of the game. I would rather BYU had won the game without a stupid penalty impacting it. They need to stand up and play like they want to win.
The celebration rule is stupid, plain and simple. It takes the best part of the game, emotion, out of it and should not exist. In this case it impacted the outcome of the game. I would rather BYU had won the game without a stupid penalty impacting it. They need to stand up and play like they want to win.
Peek a boo! | 2:49 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
Great game. Too bad so much attention has been placed on the call because lost
in all of this is that BYU played a really good game and still had to make a
play to win it. (The refs didn't block that field goal) BYU really did play
better and Washington was very lucky themselves to even be in it. Everyone has
to agree on this....no?
But the real story about if BYU is going to improve...that defense looked really bad at times. And what is the deal with Austin Collie!? Two or three dropped passes right to him! Hopefully he cleans it up and our defense can improve.....Can we all not agree on this?
But the real story about if BYU is going to improve...that defense looked really bad at times. And what is the deal with Austin Collie!? Two or three dropped passes right to him! Hopefully he cleans it up and our defense can improve.....Can we all not agree on this?
ESPN?? | 3:13 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008
I thought the game was covered by Fox Sports.
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This celebration in the end zone after a TD with 2 seconds to play cost Washington 15 yards and, perhaps, the game.
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