BIG 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark demands ref review after Texas vs. ASU game

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark sounds off on officiating in Peach Bowl.

The Big 12 commissioner, Brett Yormark, addressed the media after the Texas vs Arizona State game to discuss the controversial non-call on a potential targeting incident in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal between Arizona State and Texas.

Yormark is calling for new national standards to be implemented to ensure greater equity in the sport. He released a statement outlining his position on the matter on Thursday.

“As a member of the College Football Playoff management committee, I have had multiple discussions seeking clarity surrounding the targeting call on Arizona State’s final drive of the 4th quarter with Richard Clark,” Yormark said in his statement, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger. “Moving forward, we need to address CFP officiating to ensure national standards are developed. These standards will be crucial to the CFP’s future, and I look forward to discussing them with my fellow committee members when we meet next.”

The play he’s referring to occurred late in the fourth quarter when Texas Michael Taafee attempted to catch a pass from QB Sam Leavitt while rushing towards Arizona State receiver Melquan Stovall. What followed sparked immediate controversy.

Stovall was shaken up during the play, despite making the catch. However, Arizona State was still five yards short of the end zone as fourth down was called. The officials allowed the play to continue without a penalty, and the Sun Devils punted it away.

Although Texas didn’t win the game in regulation, the Longhorns eventually survived in double overtime to advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

Many Longhorn fans can also agree with Yormark. Officials blatantly missed another potential targeting on the second and fourth late in the fourth quarter. Texas’s No. 7 Jahdae Barron collided with Arizona State’s No. 12 Javan Robinson. The officiating was clearly off. In fact, it might be time to revisit the rules and go back to the drawing board.