The BYU Cougars remain right in the thick of the College Football Playoff hunt because of their 27-20 victory vs. the Arizona State Sun Devils. However, for the third straight week, the Cougars aren’t the main story of their game.
Early Sunday morning, the Big 12 admitted officials made a mistake on a play that resulted in a BYU touchdown. The Cougars’ first points against the Sun Devils came on a snap where quarterback Bear Bachmeier fumbled, but running back Sione Moa recovered carried it into the end zone.
According to Rule 12-3-3-d-2, “if the replay official rules that the ball was not dead, [a fumble] belongs to the recovering team at the spot of the recovery and any advance is nullified.” The Big 12 stated the proper ruling of the play should have been 3rd-and-Goal from the Arizona State 2-yard line.
This is the third consecutive game in which BYU has benefitted from an officiating error. The Cougars defeated then-No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 on Oct. 17 after their game ended despite there clearly being one second left on the game clock when Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr’s last incompletion — which easily could have drawn a pass interference flag — hit the ground.
One week later, the UCF Knights were denied a second chance at a game-winning field goal in regulation against BYU because of an incorrect ruling. The Knights wound up beating the Cougars 39-31 in double overtime.
Everyone hopes officiating doesn’t wind up scarring next week’s Holy War battle between BYU and Utah. The Cougars and Utes kick off at noon ET on Nov. 7 (ABC).
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