Ryan Day was asked numerous times about the game changing calls made in the Fiesta Bowl against Clemson on Saturday night. He handled it with class saying it was too close to the game to answer without emotion, but calling it “overwhelming”. Buckeye nation is right there with you Coach Day.
In sports, it’s never one play that determines a win or loss, but it always feels like it. Yes, Ohio State had chances and missed some key opportunities, but in a game of this magnitude, the story should never be about the referees. However, that’s exactly what the SEC officiating crew did.
There were several controversial calls in this game, but none more egregious than the overturned scoop and score midway through the third quarter. Veteran NFL referee, Terry McAulay shared the same sentiment.
This is a great angle. There is absolutely no way replay should have reversed. “Indisputable video evidence” is simply not there.
This is a great angle. There is absolutely no way replay should have reversed. “Indisputable video evidence” is simply not there. https://t.co/q77FD1IYJ7
— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) December 29, 2019
Meanwhile, Ken Williamson of the SEC crew tasked with officiating the game defended their decision in an interview after the game saying they felt the ball was coming loose in the receivers hands.
Williamson said the play was reviewed in the stadium as well as at the video review center the SEC uses in Birmingham, and said they determined when Ross moved, the ball was becoming loose in his hands and he did not complete the process of the catch.
Ralph D. Russo – AP News
I’m not sure what video this crew was watching, but the ball doesn’t appear to be coming loose in the three and a half steps the receiver takes until Jeff Okudah strips it out.
Officiating is part of the game and sometimes that means blown calls. But the story of such a massive game shouldn’t be about the men in stripes and unfortunately that’s what we got with an overturned call that wasn’t “indisputable”.