Officials should meet with media, field questions following games

Officials should meet with media and field questions following games.

Memphis defeated Mississippi State, 31-29, in a Week 3 game at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee.

Memphis’ victory is controversial as the Tigers’ Calvin Austin III scored on a 94-yard touchdown.

With five minutes and 58 seconds remaining in the game, Mississippi State, losing 21-17, punted to the Tigers.

Memphis’ Calvin Austin III returned the punt 94-yards as the football was lying on the field.

The football was kicked to the two-yard line and bounced back to the seven where Mississippi State’s Martin Emerson had his hand on the ball to down it.

The referee signaled the play dead.

Austin III picked up the ball and returned it to the end zone and the referees credited Memphis with a touchdown.

Following the Mississippi State-Memphis game, the Southeastern Conference released a statement regarding the play and other officiating mistakes in the contest.

With incidents the SEC addressed, it is ideal for game officials to be required to meet with media.

Coaches and student-athletes meet with media following games to discuss their individual and team’s performances, game officials should also have to field questions regarding their decisions to call, or not call, certain penalties throughout a contest to provide explanation of their judgement.

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