What in Bevo is going on?
Hey, refs occasionally get some calls wrong, but this crew of Red River Rivalry officials (why the heck did they remove "Shootout" from the title of this game?) were marching to the tune of Three Blind Mice.
A huge game with title game implications and the refs did everything possible to eff it up. Yup, Pac-10 officials must have heard there was a really good game on in Dallas, and switched places with the Big XII refs.
I would love to see this trio get marched out to center field with the Benny Hill theme song playing in the background. Then Bevo could brand their butts while Boomer and Sooner used them as a kitty litter tray.
Why the tirade, you ask?
Oklahoma was penalized for at least one bad personal foul call. Lewis was called for a late hit out of bounds when clearly, he was trying to hold up a Longhorn from getting hurt.
Can't the refs recognize a clear-cut case of football chivalry? Apparently not; they were too busy watching all the players on the Longhorn sideline tell them to throw the yellow hankie. And they obliged, of course.
Oklahoma also intercepted a McCoy pass in the endzone. The DB had clear control of the ball and only when he rolled on the turf did the ball come loose.
Instead of reviewing the play in the booth and taking a long, hard look at the play, the refs ruled the Sooner didn't have control of the ball before it popped loose. Of course not. The refs think the turf can cause a fumble.
- B/R Ticket Guide
The Longhorns, of course, "quickly" lined up and kicked a field goal before the play could be reviewed.
Three blind mice...three blind mice...see how they run...see how they run....
But don't think the Sooners have been the only victim in this primetime showcase of bad officiating. Au contraire. The refs were an equal opportunity hoser in this game. Bless their little closed eyes and hearts.
The Sooners were the first ones to be given a gift by these striped rodents. Their first TD was a sham, even though instant replay revealed a knee was down about two feet short of the goal line.
If the touchdown had been overturned the Sooners would have had to settle for a FG since it was third down. But it wasn't, because after all, the refs were too busy watching the cameramen in the endzone signal touchdown.
The Sooners also got a conscience call from the refs for roughing the kicker on an ensuing series when Oklahoma wen three-and-out.
In an acting performance that even Vlade Divac would have applauded, punter Mike Knall flopped to the ground after getting hit by a wake of air from a Texas rusher. Knall then grabbed his leg as if in agony.
Cue the refs to make another bad call of roughing the kicker, and hand out the best actor Oscar to Knall.
Which is more painful?
Watching Bob Stoops get ready for his post-game presser on the horrible officiating (only on his team, of course), or watching Mack Brown gleefully jump up and down like a 2-year-old and making a first-down gesture?
Watching the Sooners' secondary get more exposed than Paris Hilton on a Saturday night, or the refs finally calling an alleged Longhorns fourth-quarter TD short by two feet and reminding Horns fans how the Sooners didn't get that same play review when the Sooners "scored" on their first TD?
Watching Stoops finally define the "can't win the big games" label, or Brent Musberger finally get angry and hammer the officials while Kirk Herbstreit giggled?
Ah, college football rivalries. It seems to bring out the best in players and the worst in officials.
The best in offenses and the worst in secondaries.
And our knowledgeable pollsters awaiting.
Congrats to the Horns.
And to the Sooners? Cheer up, the Fiesta Bowl awaits with an undefeated Boise State lurking in your future.
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about 1 month ago
Boise State is not as good as they were, and they play no one. Oklahoma is better than they were when they lost that game on a trick play, and will easily win the Fiesta Bowl...just saying.
Yes...I saw all those calls and questionable TDs and INTs...what a shame. They end up basically canceling themselves out anyway, but I or anyone could've reffed that game better. How come everyone can see something except the refs, who always seem to make the wrong call? I think refs go through a series of tests where a machine blurs their vision and another machine impairs their common sense and judgment. Great article.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah,,,both sides got gifts and both got the shaft...it can ruin momentum or what not. It was a hcekuva game though..one of the best I've ever seen.
from about 1 month ago
One comment to my friend Isaac. That Fiesta Bowl was not about one trick play. Boise State played solid football from start to finish, and were it not for the punt hitting their player in the leg - would have won in regulation. A trick play gets the spotlight, but the Bronco's played a solid game throughout.
State looks good!
from about 1 month ago
oklahomo is not good and if they are SOO good y did they lose to boise when they should have blown them out???????
from about 1 month ago
They are better this year than they were then, I think. That's why, matthew.
about 1 month ago
I couldn't believe these calls! I was trying hard not to laugh at Knall's performance.....I mean even the announcers were holding back.
Aside from the horrible calls ( I even think the first RTP call on OKLA was a bit of a stretch) this was a great game and a gret effort of both teams. Congrats to the Longhorns!
from about 1 month ago
K-
It was sad (the officiating)....both coaches have gripes. But it was a great game...congrats to the Horns! Heck...depending on how Bama or Mizzou does, I would rank them #1 so far. The night is young!
about 1 month ago
Well, not much to say. Great job summing this one up Lisa. Looking forward to the other big games tonight to see how these "polls" are going to go tomorrow afternoon. 5*'s, POTD.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks very much Michael!
The polls....gulp. I am scared of them....BCS comes out a week from tomorrow.....wheeeeeeeeeee!
about 1 month ago
It would be a shame for poor refereeing to be the major takeaway from this game. For that to be the case would obscure one of the most athletic performances in a (two-sided) football game that we've seen probably since the 2005 Rose Bowl. Sam Bradford, Brian Orakpo and many others put up monster performances that should stand out even in their already illustrious careers.
from about 1 month ago
Evan-
Not trying to take away from the performances, although the DBs on both teams are very suspect....too many receivers WIDE open on both sides, and the RBs were constantly running in an open field. But it was indeed, an entertaining game. McCoy was incredible!
from about 1 month ago
were we watching the same game?
outside of Chris O single long distance run the RBs got wrecked in this game. great run defense on both sides.
about 1 month ago
I believe Ed Hochuli officiated this game.
Oscar for best actor goes to Colt McCoy.
Worst part for Oklahoma is how far they'll fall not that so many teams under them are winning...
from about 1 month ago
I hope thet don't fall more than 8 spots...that seems to be the norm when #1 loses. Dem Horns looked good!
from about 1 month ago
The Oscar should go to the OU punter.
from about 1 month ago
Oscar to OU's punter, actually. :-)
about 1 month ago
haha i came onto the site just now to write an article about this....titled exactly the same thing. But then there yours was on the front page. Great article-totally agree. Still a great game to watch though. McCoy and Bradford were fantastic.
from about 1 month ago
LOL.....sorry...I'm sure you can still do a fab write up...link me and I'll check it out!
about 1 month ago
I'm in Oklahoma City, and this place is depressed! There has been more inept officiating this year than any year I remember. Great read as always. POTD
from about 1 month ago
What the heck are you doing in OK City? Working? There has been some bad calls for sure....the game was still great, but it detracted from it. Thanks Gray Ghost for the pick.
from about 1 month ago
Here on business. I wore my Georgia tie. It stirred up some interesting conversation.
about 1 month ago
Good article Lisa. The officiating was horrible. How about the end of the ND and NC game? I was worried the refs were going to overturn the fumble after they overturned the NC catch.
from about 1 month ago
D-
If it had been in South Bend, it would have been overturned! :0
I took UNC and laid 7.5 points, I knew UNC would beat ND, but dang, I came up short in the spread by 2.5 pts. Dang it!
about 1 month ago
Awesome one Lisa 5star POTD, officiating hasn't been too good at all today...all over the nation.
from about 1 month ago
Jim-
Thanks! I know you're bumming over the ND game...tough loss. ND still looks good, my friend. They have definitely improved! It's tough playing on the road, how all too well I know. :( Good luck next week against UDub...that game should make you feel better! :)
about 1 month ago
Lewis should have never touched McCoy as they both were going out of bounds unless he wanted a flag to be thrown. Even though he wasn't trying to hit McCoy out of bounds it's still a penalty. If you're a defender your motto on a play like that is avoid contact not to initiate it even if you're trying to help the opponent stay on their feet. The Running Into The Kicker penalty was a joke as well, but keep in mind Knall hurt himself earlier in the game so it might have been aggravated when he did punt, but there was not enough contact on that play to warrant a penalty.
from about 1 month ago
Steven-
I don't know...McCoy was definitely aiming to go out of bounds but he was short of the first down so he kinda made a bit of a move to get some more yards...that's why Lewis stayed with him...it wasn't intentional, and it definitely wasn't a personal foul.
I disagree with your assessment that they call the foul if there is contact no matter what. I have seen plenty of contact out of bounds that wasn't called because the players were so close to the sidelines that it was incidental contact or they were trying to prevent injury to the player out of bounds. In any case, it certainly wasn't warranting a flag. It was ridiculous. He basically tapped McCoy.
But yes, it was bad officiating on both sides.
about 1 month ago
"The Longhorns, of course, "quickly" lined up and kicked a field goal before the play could be reviewed."
Which doesn't seem to matter. I've seen three or four instances this year in which a play was "quickly run" only to be ruled null and void after the officials reviewed the PREVIOUS play.
Not sure how they can do that, and I'm complaining even though my Nittany Lions caught a break from it last week @ Purdue.
from about 1 month ago
Ryan-
There's something that bothers me about coaches who hurry up their offense so that a play they know should have been incomplete or whatever, will not get called because they were too fast to get the next play off. It's almost cheating. If you know the play shouldn't stand, then it shouldn't stand.
With that being said, like you, I have screamed at my team to hurry up and get the next play off! LOL.
Touche!
about 1 month ago
yes officating was a little questionable, but the noise of 92 000 is a little distracting. big games should have more review s by the officials for sure on key plays! hey whats with the pac 10 bashing! east coast girl huh! lol . lsu is getting bashed by the gators right now. looks like missouri #1 texas # 2 maybe penn state hits number 3 lol usc is moving back up!! un ohhh! nfl mikee
from about 1 month ago
Thomas-
Umm...East Coast Girl? Hardly. I live in Cali and went to a pac-10 school- USC. But the Pac-10 refs are notorious for messing up calls.
Oregon v Oklahoma
BYU v Washington...the list goes on!
Mizzou is struggling right now.
about 1 month ago
Good stuff Lisa,
Did you happen to see some of the gift calls UGA got against my Vols? While Tennessee had some fouls that were clearly stupid and their fault...but two were not good at all and helped UGA get that TD late in the 1st half.
Of course when you have 1 yard of rushing Tennessee shouldn't win anyway.
from about 1 month ago
I didn't catch the game...I was watching RRR. But I did take your Vols in my pick'em and won that pick! :)
about 1 month ago
Great article Lisa. This season has been exceptional when it comes to just plain bad officiating. The calls you refer to in the Oklahoma - Texas game were horrible. There were some calls during the Alabama - Kentucky that totally changed the complexion of the game. It's a shame the officials can't get out of the way and let the players play.
about 1 month ago
ok my bad lisa ! usc moving up again lol do they have a chance??
from about 1 month ago
Yeah, they just 1 spot behind us. I think they should jump us.
We just plain suck. (Read our defense)
about 1 month ago
Missouri not # 1 lol they lost too! check out my bcs rankings shake up totally disjointed all over the place article lol thomas
about 1 month ago
most points ever scored in LSU /Florida series 72 wow!!
about 1 month ago
are you still up? what city do you live in? lol thomas good night!
about 1 month ago
Oh God... Texas won...now we've to listen to Chase Dunagan's rants... God save us.
Nice article, Lisa.... saw first 2 hrs of the game and then rushed to the Jones AT&T stadium.
Would've to agree with you on the ruling on the field.
"And to the Sooners? Cheer up, the Fiesta Bowl awaits with an undefeated Boise State lurking in your future." - Nice one.. lol.
BTW, OK State just cleaned up "The ZOU"..... your comments about that?
about 1 month ago
On the bad call vs OU's end zone INT, it should be noted that same defender blatantly held our receiver to put him in the position to make the defensive play in the first place.
Additionally, for anyone who watched the line play, OU blatantly held numerous times (some said all game long) without any calls on it until only a few minutes remained and Texas had it won already.
A lot of OU's successful middle screens were completed past the LOS with linemen illegally blocking downfield ahead of the receiver.
from about 1 month ago
by the way, I appreciate your noting benefits to both sides, though the repetitive nature of the non-calls throughout the contest certainly didn't hurt the Sooners passing game.
about 1 month ago
Big Twelve officiating is rather spotty. It is not just this game that has bad calls.
from about 1 month ago
Are you sure those were Big XII officials? Looked like Pac-10 to me! :p
about 1 month ago
i dont understand why everyone is fussing about the late hit out of bounds. Colt was clearly hit late, i mean the defender just ran into him but a late hit is a late hit. He tried to hold him up so they wouldnt call the penalty.
about 1 month ago
I hope you're joking about the Pac-10 officials, Lisa... this was a Big XII conference game! But yeah, I think the refs must've been out late Friday night at the State Fair... that's the only explanation I have for their goofs.
Though I suppose if the NFL refs like Hochuli are messing up, there's not going to be much improvement when switching out crews?
Hmmm, there's an interesting topic... to find out which conference (if any) has the best officiating crews. ;-)
Looking forward to the weekly poll scramble! Woo hoo! (Although it's gonna be 1 and 2-loss teams in the title game again! D'oh!)
from about 1 month ago
Of course she was joking Scott.
Here's her comment in the third paragraph: "This is a huge game with title game implications and the refs did everything possible to eff it up. Yup, the Pac-10 officiating crew must have heard there was a really good game on in Dallas, and switched places with the Big XII refs".
about 1 month ago
I am a OU fan and I was dissapointed by our D Line. They never effectively put any pressure on McCoy and therby let it turn into a offensive shootout. No arguement about the refs. NCCA needs to reprimand those idiots. Maybe 2 years of officiating 2A High School in Alaska?
about 1 month ago
Lisa, Thanks for writing this. The officiating is horrible and it has been for years now, it gets worse and I hate to say this...REEKS OF FIXED GAMES. they can't even spot the ball right (louisville-memphis) and the most hideous calls aren't reviewable plays (because who even thought up that they could happen?). I have wanted to write up something similar for such a long time, thanks for taking the time and doing it. You would have thought after last year's fair catch touchdown the refs would be penalized or when BYU (not known for dirty play) gets penalized 17 times in a game last year (BC as well) that something stinks and it's the officiating. Oklahoma gets some silly calls at home and in the TCU game it seemed like the refs called a penalty on TCU on every play. I saw holds not called as well all day and all season and then some. The screen pass works way better when you hold the defensive ends by the way. I can go on and on...I have a friend who is a statistician and another that wrote the pattern recognition software used by credit card companies and banks to sort out suspicious behavior.Maybe it's time those 2 get together?
Thanks for the read, now I need to go outside for a walk...
about 1 month ago
Great article Lisa! I agree with you, the officiating in this game was atrocious. the personal foul on Mccoy and the roughing the punter call was even worse!!And no replay on the OU interception in the endzone?!?!? What good is replay if they didn't even take the time to review that???
about 1 month ago
The INT that OU thought they had was not an INT. The rule states in the endzone you have to come to the ground with a catch and he did not. They got that right but did miss some others against both teams.
about 1 month ago
First I would like to add that before the OU int that wasn't...the same player clearly held the receiver earlier in the play which Kirk Herbstreit was quick to point out. That penalty would have negated the int and given the Longhorns a first and goal instead of a 4th down, so really there's two blown calls on the same play. The officiating was obviously horrid, but all I can say for it is at least it was consistently bad, and consistency is truly all you can ask for right?
from about 1 month ago
Well, it was bad on both sides, but the biggest problem with it is it causes momentum to change and can mess up your drives' game plan.
about 1 month ago
I really think they can solve this problem of horrible officiating very easily. They need to train and hire younger men to have these jobs. The current NCAA refs of any conference are too old and slow to see wahts going on. I mean they miss some of the most obvious stuff, and they are always having to review obvious TD's, catches, fumbles, etc. which severely ruins the momentum of the game and is frustrating for any fan to watch. Younger refs would also have more energy to run around during big plays and such. it would be better in every way possible to have 35-45 year olds reffing games.
about 1 month ago
Lisa, I was AT the game. I have sunburn and I'm STILL moaning about the officiating. The refs also missed a ton of holding calls too.....
And I was in the Texas end.
about 1 month ago
Thanks for the great article, Lisa. I needed a bit of levity to help bring me out my depression.
about 1 month ago
Great article lisa, while I enjoyed the Horns win more than anyone else in my household. I do agree that the refs did fudge way to many calls to count. I only hope that this bad officiating doesn't show up next week agianst Mizou. Hook em!
about 1 month ago
Hey Lisa, nice angle on the game. I do disagree on the out of bounds play since the OU player did bring his full momentum with him, he did touch the Texas player. Yes, he tried to hold him up but couldn't, so I'm old school and I admit it. Out of bounds is out of bounds and if you can't slow up or hold the man up then you do deserve the flag. I really have no rooting interest in this match-up it's just I hate to see defensive players do stupid things that put their teams in bad spots. As a fan, former ref, and former coach I just hate to see those types of plays. Those are the types of plays where guys get hurt and teams who otherwise may have played a great defensive series get that work erased.
about 1 month ago
Good article and right on the button. The refs were horrid in this game in every way.
As a Horns fan, I couldn't believe how the refs couldn't see the sooner OL obviously holding on every play. Bradford would have been hit a lot more often if the sooners hadn't gotten away with it. Maybe they were protecting him.
And kudos to Knall for the acting performance. As we speak, Hollywood agents are looking for his number.
about 1 month ago
Funny stuff, and true which is both funny and sad. Good work!
about 1 month ago
Great article...and hate to dwell on it.....But since you brought it up....
Great game by the Horns and Sooners......was impressed how the Horns didnt cave under the pressure as I've seen in the past. As far as the calls or no calls: I'll admit I wasent watching the trenches too closly so when my DVR starts working again I'll take a peak. Another no call was on the Kick return for a TD in which I saw two blocks in the back at the point of attck as Shipley squeezed through. I would have to say that the Oscar goes to both Mccoy and our Punter...though our punter was not that convincing ...was just not a good call. The endzone Pick was a pick....caught...one foot.... two foot...no juggle...and the ball pops out as back hits the ground...clearly seen on tape..really dont understand how anyone could dissagree unbiasedly (SP? is that a word?) against that?
I thought both Personal Fouls on hitting Mccoy out of bounds were hilarious...one an obivous dive by Mccoy and the other just a horendous call...I mean the guy was actually trying to hold him up after what can only be said to be incidental contact and the bounds line. I dont understand the rules on downfield blocking(ineligible reciever?) so I'll leave that one from someone to explain.
Alright ...and to finish.....Great game...some bad calls, but I give credit to the Horns for their win! Cant wait till the next installment of the RRR.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah my dad found the same block in the back no-calls on the return using the DVR. It was hard to catch in real-time from the Sooner endzone. Yep, that was a pick, and it COULD have swung momentum back in our favor. We'll never know. Watching the DVR for the McCoy hits: one was completely laughable, the second one was questionable, but I could see why a ref could see it as a late hit out of bounds.
Regardless, unlike the horrible enforcement of the excessive celebration penalty against Washington, OU still had a chance to win, but Texas made the plays in the second half to get the upset (not really sure how upset it was, to be honest) win. What really hurt was the injury to Ryan Reynolds. That's when Texas started to execute the running game, and our heralded O Line still has yet to be the O Line they have the potential to be.
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