Controversial finish to BYU-Washington

2008-09-10T12:29:09-04:00

<img style="width: 210px; height: 250px; float: right;" title="AP" src="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/images/09/06/t1_lockerflag.jpg" border="1" alt="AP" width="210" height="250" align="right" /> No. 15 BYU <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/scoreboards/2008/09/06/37994_viewcast_recap.html">cleared a major hurdle</a> in its quest for a BCS bid, thanks in part to a huge assist from an overzealous official. With Washington trailing BYU 28-21 late in the fourth quarter, QB Jake Locker led the Huskies on an exhilarating 17-play, 76-yard scoring drive, scrambling for a two-yard touchdown plunge with just two seconds left in the game. After the touchdown, Locker jumped to his feet, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbgOF71ORiw">exuberantly tossed the ball over his head</a> and rejoiced with teammates. It seemed like a pretty ordinary celebration to these eyes -- no premeditated routine, no taunting and nothing I would describe as "excessive" -- but one official didn't see it that way and called a personal foul on Locker. Forced to take the potential game-tying PAT from the 18-yard-line (as opposed to the 3), Washington had the kick blocked. Ballgame. Now, let me get one thing straight -- officials did not hand this game to BYU. The Cougars played well enough to win at a tough road venue. And even if the excessive celebration penalty had not been imposed and Washington had converted the PAT, the game was still headed to overtime. That being said, this is no way to end a football game. This game should have been decided in the exciting college football overtime format, not by an official's (mis)judgment. You simply cannot throw that flag at that point in the game. (Personally, I don't think you should throw that flag at any point in the game.) Like I said before, this was a huge win for BYU in the BCS picture. The Cougars face UCLA next week before kicking off Mountain West play against Wyoming. If BYU ends up receiving a BCS bid, naysayers will undoubtedly reference this Husky hosing. Controversial finish to BYU-Washington

2008-09-06T19:21:51-04:00

2008-09-10T06:38:24-04:00

2008-09-08T19:24:07-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/219/111/thumb/uw.jpg 11 WA

BowDown42

Kirkland 219411

BYU was lukcy lucky lucky. That was a horrible call and everyone here has seen A LOT worse not called. I think the ref who threw the flag is mormon. 2695013

2008-09-08T18:27:15-04:00

Jake D

Provo 518534

An "overzealous official"? WAKE UP PEOPLE! The Pac-10 sent out tapes and letters this year SPECIFICALLY stating they would crack down on celebration like this. Locker knew, but I wouldn't be surprised if he forgot. I don't think his intention was unsportsmanlike. Nevertheless, a rule is a rule, and he broke it when he celebrated. If the official hadn't thrown the flag, he should have lost his job for not calling the game by the rules and BYU could have said it was a bad call. This is black and white. Locker broke the rule. I think the celebration rule is dumb and should be changed...but the fact remains...it's STILL a rule. You'd have to be ignorant to argue this point. Case closed. 2694747

2008-09-08T11:01:42-04:00

Cardfan3

Pittsburgh 286299

Good Call. Bad Rule. While nothing Locker did was taunting or meanspirited, the rule is excesive celebration and throwing the ball in the air is clearly defined in the rule book as excesive celebration. The official who made the call was doing his job. I'm sure there are many of us who do things at work that we know should be done a different way, but do them anyway because that is how the bosses say they should be done. Also, in my mind there should be no difference between how a game hsould be called in the first 30 seconds and the last 30 seconds. If that happened on the first score of the game, it should have been flagged (based on the rules) just like it was on the last score of the game. The fact remains, what Locker did violated the rules and therefore deserved a flag. The refs know the rules as do the coaches and the players (at least they should know the rules, if they dont, that is their fault). Change the rule, but dont attack an official's call when, by the rules, it was correct. 2689128

2008-09-08T09:57:30-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/137/731/thumb/DSC01317.jpg 1 OK

DonnyH

Midwest City 138031

So, let me get this straight, officials are supposed to factor in the timing, the emotion, and the percieved (or lack thereof) intent of the offender before calling a penalty? that being said, I suppose we should apply that across the board,,,, say on late-game interference calls, on illegal formations when a team has scored a game-winning TD... the list goes on. The official, all emotions aside, called the penalty based upon the rule as it is written. Rather than castigating the man for doing his job correctly, go after the folks who write the rule, not those who enforce it. 2688047

2008-09-08T09:30:15-04:00

JustMyOpinion

Orem 205296

Let's get real and face the cold hard facts, U of Wash blew it. More specifically, Locker blew it! I am a U of W die hard and I say no controversy! Another reason the coach has to go. It is his job to control his players and he hasn't done it. Congrats to BYU. They could of won easier but they won fair and square none the less. Go Huskies!!!!!!! 2687630

2008-09-08T09:27:27-04:00

JustMyOpinion

Orem 205296

If your kid does drugs and you catch him, are you going to just ignore it or do you take appropriate measures and penalize the kid. It is a no brainer. By rule the referees have to throw a flag. All you who say the referees did wrong are wrong. Oh, and I am a U of Washington die hard. How about, Locker shouldn't have thrown the ball in the air. End of point and end of argument. Go Huskies!!!!! P.S. Byu did get penalized for the same penalty of excessive celebration. So the referees were fair in their calls. 2687520

2008-09-08T09:05:21-04:00

The Stormer

Norman 487152

A rule is a rule. You don't throw the ball in the air or slam it on the ground. Plus you have to make the play on the field.....35 yard field goal should be a gimmee. New coach next year for the Huskies. 2687302

2008-09-08T05:36:46-04:00

Manao

Honolulu 517880

Unfortunate But True Facts: 1. Rule is a rule: or How high is HIGH " - - Toss ball HIGH in the air" was in fact done and is explicitly listed as an example of excessive display. UW COACHING STAFF AND QB SHARE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PENALTY BEING ASSESSED - NOT A JUDGEMENT CALL. 2. Coach Willingham to his credit states that HE HAD ALREADY DECIDED TO GO FOR PAT BEFORE PENALTY ASSESSED. 3. That being said: UW was not denied a chance to score the PAT to tie game. Just that it was 15 yards further. Their kicker had kicked a field goal from that distance the week before. UW DEFENSE LINE AND COACHING STAFF SHARE RESPONSIBILTIY FOR NOT HOLDING BACK BYU or RUNNING A FAKE. 2686803

2008-09-08T05:35:00-04:00

Manao

Honolulu 517880

Unfortunate But True Facts: 1. Rule is a rule: or How high is HIGH " - - Toss ball HIGH in the air" was in fact done and is explicitly listed as an example of excessive display. UW COACHING STAFF AND QB SHARE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PENALTY BEING ASSESSED - NOT A JUDGEMENT CALL. 2. Coach Willingham to his credit states that HE HAD ALREADY DECIDED TO GO FOR PAT BEFORE PENALTY ASSESSED. 3. That being said: UW was not denied a chance to score the PAT to tie game. Just that it was 15 yards further. Their kicker had kicked a field goal from that distance the week before. UW DEFENSE LINE AND CAOACHING STAFF SHARE RESPONSIBILTIY FOR NOT HOLDING BACK BYU. 2686786

2008-09-08T00:39:57-04:00

UteFan82

Salt Lake City 517656

The call obviously had nothing to with a great play by BYU's Jan Jorgensen. BYU came out and did what they had to do, and the block had nothing to with the distance. However, Willingham was signaling to go for two when he found out about the call, and Locker has enough talent that he may have pulled it off. No wonder this is such a big deal. If the roles had been reversed, there would be no end of the BYU fans' complaining. However, I am glad to see BYU win. Let them keep winning until we beat them in November. Go Utes! 2686587

Gennaro Filice

New York 4275