Utah AD ‘disgusted’ by refs after frantic BYU rally

Kyle Bonagura,

• ESPN Personnel WriterNov 10, 2024, 03:17 AM ET Close Covers college football.Joined ESPN in 2014.
• Gone To Washington State University.SALT LAKE CITY– Much of the BYU football team was still on the field at Rice-Eccles Arena commemorating an amazing 22-21 win versus rival Utah late Saturday night when Utes athletic director Mark Harlan made a surprise look at the postgame news conference.In an intense address, Harlan disparaged the officiating crew and challenged the credibility of his school’s loss.”This game was definitely taken from us, “Harlan stated.”We were delighted about remaining in the Huge 12, however tonight I am not.

We won this game. Another person stole it from us. Very disappointed.”I will talk to the commissioner. This was unfair to our group. I’m revolted by the professionalism of the officiating team tonight.” Editor’s Picks Harlan, who does not regularly attend to the media after games, did not take concerns following his rebuke, nor did he elaborate even more with any specifics.It’s a safe presumption, nevertheless, that Harlan’s contempt was directed toward a holding contact cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn that negated Utah’s fourth-down sack of BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff at the Cougars’ 1-yard line with 1:29 left, which appeared to have actually ended the game.

“Whatever choice the refs make, I don’t think they’re trying to get it wrong, so that’s just part of the game,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake stated. “The refs belong to the game. We were able to capitalize on that.”

Utah’s prospective sack of Retzlaff was the second time the largest crowd in Rice-Eccles history (54,383) thought the game was effectively over. Prior to the fourth-down play, BYU snapped the ball and Retzlaff was flushed out of completion zone, but Sitake had called a timeout before the breeze, most likely conserving the game in the process.After the Cougars were provided new life with the holding call, Retzlaff hit Chase Roberts for 30 yards and Darius Lassiter for 12 yards before Hinckley Ropati ran for 14 yards to get BYU in position for Will Ferrin’s game-winning 44-yard field goal.Ferrin, who moved to BYU from Boise State after

the 2022 season, calmly divided the uprights to include another legendary finish to a competition game that has had numerous of them.Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was visibly disturbed with the authorities on the field following the game but was determined in his postgame remarks. “Could not get that last stop when we required it, sadly, “he said.

“That’s type of been the story for several games. “The win keeps No. 9 BYU (9-0, 6-0 Big 12)undefeated and in prime position to get approved for the

College Football Playoff. With three conference games left(versus Kansas, Arizona State and Houston), the Cougars lead Colorado by one game in the Huge 12 standings. 4 other teams– Iowa State, Kansas State, Arizona State and West Virginia– have 2 conference losses.Retzlaff completed 15-of-33 for 219 yards without a goal pass or interception. It is BYU’s 2nd consecutive win in the series– following a 26-17 win in 2021– however the Cougars ‘very first success in Salt Lake City because 2006. This was the first time the rivals have played as conference opponents given that 2010, after which Utah left the Mountain West for the Pac-12 and BYU went independent.