Utah AD Assails Officiating After Dramatic Loss to BYU

© Rob Gray-Imagn Images

In one of the most dramatic games of the 2024 college football season, the No. 9 BYU Cougars (9-0, 6-0 Big 12 Conference) triumphed 22-21 over their in-state rival, the Utah Utes (4-5, 1-5). Played before a record-setting crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, the game featured a controversial call by the officiating crew, negating a sack that would have clinched the game for the Utes. After BYU subsequently went on to make a game-winning 44-yard field goal, Utah Athletic Director, Mark Harlan unloaded on the referees, saying they stole the game from the Utes.

BYU's Magic Continues

The Utes, who did all of their scoring in the second quarter, led 21-10 at halftime. Throughout the game, the Utah defense put steady pressure on BYU's star quarterback, Jake Retzlaff, sacking him 3 times and holding him to 15 out of 33 pass completions for 219 yards. However, the Cougars outscored the Utes 12-0 in the second half to eke out a 1-point win. The BYU defense was stout, coming up with 2 interceptions and holding the Utes scoreless in the second half.

BYU is the lone undefeated team in the Big 12. With three games remaining against unranked opponents, the Cougars are well-positioned to sail into the Big 12 championship game and the College Football Playoff.

The Controversial Call

Leading 21-19 with less than two minutes remaining in the game, BYU had a fourth-and-10 play from their own 10-yard line. With the partisan crowd in a frenzy, the swarming Utah defense sacked Retzlaff near the goal line. Because the Cougars had only one timeout remaining, the game appeared to be over. However, the officials threw a flag, calling a defensive holding penalty against the Utes.

The ESPN announcers said the call by the referees was appropriate. However, Utah and its supporters did not concur.

Given new life by the penalty, Retzlaff and the Cougars marched down the field, with key pass completions to wide receivers Chase Roberts and Darrius Lassiter, setting up the game-winning field goal.

© Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Utah AD Says Referees Stole Game

In a press conference after the game, Utah's AD went off on the officials:

"This game was absolutely stolen from us. We were excited about being in the Big 12, but tonight I am not. We won this game. Someone else stole it from us. Very disappointed. I will talk to the commissioner. This was not fair to our team. I'm disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight."

Mark Harlan, Utah Athletic Director

BYU coach Kalani Sitake offered a different perspective: "Whatever decision the refs make, I don't think they're trying to get it wrong, so that's just part of the game," Sitake said. "The refs are part of the game. We were able to capitalize on that."

On Nov. 16, BYU hosts Kansas (3-6, 2-4) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah.