Yes the clock expired but officials let USC run a play. They threw a completion to the half yard line. I don’t understand then and don’t now why it’s a big deal. Yes the clock started at the wrong time but USC got it’s play off and didn’t score. There is no way that they could have gotten two plays off in those five seconds when one was a completed pass, so what’s the harm. It was an error without consequence.
Referee Michael Mothershed — one of the Pac-12’s best officials — should have called the teams back, re-spotted the ball, and put a few seconds back on the clock. Instead, he waved off the first half and announced “That’s the end of the half.”
Hoo boy, "best" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
The clock starts when the chains are set not the ball spotted and that’s when the umpire said go on clock signal. Just because the announcers made it out to be an error doesn’t make it one. The ball spot was late but the chains were set. The lineman and receivers were also moving when ball was snapped..a penalty and clock run off.
Let’s be honest… the horrible officiating in the PAC is nothing new… there’s officiating crews that you know in advance are going to be horrible…and while there’s always going to be a level of human error (isn’t that why they’ve instituted instant replay) it shouldn’t be as obvious as it is every week…the end of the half debacle at USC-Arizona was inexcusable…it wasn’t a judgement call…it was gross incompetence…the entire crew should be suspended indefinitely…
Your photographer posted a picture of Bo in the pocket, about to throw downfield in the Cal game. There was no one else in the frame at all. It looked like he was standing on the field before the game. He has been truly awesome this year, but that O-line...They deserve a column JC!
Two comments: 1) Thanks for the history lesson on Dillingham. Clearly, the man know his stuff and he’s going to be a BIG name nationally soon. A State should make the move ASAP and give him a bunch of money (the only negative is the Duck Homer will have to deal with facing him :-/)
2) As a Bruin fan, I think your prediction Vs
$c sucks… yes, their offense is very good, but they ain’t no Ducks on D. Bruins will take em out and play Oregon for the PAC-12 title. You heard it here first, fellas!
Sorry Canzano but your statement that Mothershed is one of the best in the conference is just laughable. He and his crew are probably the worst in the conference. I’d bet that if you took a poll on this you’d find your opinion in a very small minority.
I know this isn't a PAC 12 note either...but PSU beat Eastern Washington in Cheney. Not a word about this in The Oregonian or anywhere else in the Portland area. What's up with that? I think I know the answer but let's hear it.
Back to the football !! Love this article! Utah was impressive considering my UTES have not won in Pullman in years! Thanks for the Utah love. Also. As a high school football coach I had the opportunity to be hosted by the Utah football team to attend summer practices and get an inside look at the team. That culture is impressive. The coach you rarely hear about is Jim Harding. He is the assistant head coach and offensive line coach. He is a leader and a man of integrity and tremendous football knowledge.
Sports and officiating are not a sciences. I think the world would be better off with the elimination of reviews in any sport. Let the chips fall where they may, some are correct, some incorrect. Complaining about officials is part of sport.
You state Fri nights game is "huge" for Ore State. Later you mention Oregon has two "opportunities" left on their schedule (I guess) to erase the 46 point crushing. I am curious, did Washington also leave the Pac? You managed to cover that without even mentioning the UW program in any way. Hard for me to believe that doesn't mean something. Its OK that you are all Oegon/Ore State, LA schools and Bo Nix all the time. We get that. But a little token balnce in your touching on the conference would add the the content.
- latest “official” official debacle; USC brings out the best of our PAC12 refs, but it’s getting old
- Portland State; Stellar performance with no acknowledgement…
- Beavers; got a crew of Beaver fans coming over Friday for the Husky game, including a grandson and a son-in-law. It’s a shame to make family cry…
- Oregon; Bo and company are getting better every week. Looking forward to traveling to Eugene Saturday to give the Ducks their first conference loss 😎
Football is a human game and humans make errors. I personally do not like the pursuit of perfection. Improvement? Yes.
I would be happy to hear less "The previous play is under review". Go with the call on the field more often then not. and centralize all officials.
1. Officiating should be the responsibility of the NCAA. NOT conferences.
2. The ruling on the field needs to hold more weight
A VERY short list of "official" reviews
-Targeting
-Clock management
3. Each Coach can request the review of ANY play/call 1 time per quarter.
That's it! Nothing more from the "booth"
I know everyone is going to hate this idea, but I think these simple changes would improve the on-field performance of the officials.
Yes the clock expired but officials let USC run a play. They threw a completion to the half yard line. I don’t understand then and don’t now why it’s a big deal. Yes the clock started at the wrong time but USC got it’s play off and didn’t score. There is no way that they could have gotten two plays off in those five seconds when one was a completed pass, so what’s the harm. It was an error without consequence.
Referee Michael Mothershed — one of the Pac-12’s best officials — should have called the teams back, re-spotted the ball, and put a few seconds back on the clock. Instead, he waved off the first half and announced “That’s the end of the half.”
Hoo boy, "best" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
The clock starts when the chains are set not the ball spotted and that’s when the umpire said go on clock signal. Just because the announcers made it out to be an error doesn’t make it one. The ball spot was late but the chains were set. The lineman and receivers were also moving when ball was snapped..a penalty and clock run off.
Let’s be honest… the horrible officiating in the PAC is nothing new… there’s officiating crews that you know in advance are going to be horrible…and while there’s always going to be a level of human error (isn’t that why they’ve instituted instant replay) it shouldn’t be as obvious as it is every week…the end of the half debacle at USC-Arizona was inexcusable…it wasn’t a judgement call…it was gross incompetence…the entire crew should be suspended indefinitely…
John,
Your photographer posted a picture of Bo in the pocket, about to throw downfield in the Cal game. There was no one else in the frame at all. It looked like he was standing on the field before the game. He has been truly awesome this year, but that O-line...They deserve a column JC!
Two comments: 1) Thanks for the history lesson on Dillingham. Clearly, the man know his stuff and he’s going to be a BIG name nationally soon. A State should make the move ASAP and give him a bunch of money (the only negative is the Duck Homer will have to deal with facing him :-/)
2) As a Bruin fan, I think your prediction Vs
$c sucks… yes, their offense is very good, but they ain’t no Ducks on D. Bruins will take em out and play Oregon for the PAC-12 title. You heard it here first, fellas!
Sorry Canzano but your statement that Mothershed is one of the best in the conference is just laughable. He and his crew are probably the worst in the conference. I’d bet that if you took a poll on this you’d find your opinion in a very small minority.
I know this isn't a PAC 12 note either...but PSU beat Eastern Washington in Cheney. Not a word about this in The Oregonian or anywhere else in the Portland area. What's up with that? I think I know the answer but let's hear it.
Back to the football !! Love this article! Utah was impressive considering my UTES have not won in Pullman in years! Thanks for the Utah love. Also. As a high school football coach I had the opportunity to be hosted by the Utah football team to attend summer practices and get an inside look at the team. That culture is impressive. The coach you rarely hear about is Jim Harding. He is the assistant head coach and offensive line coach. He is a leader and a man of integrity and tremendous football knowledge.
Sports and officiating are not a sciences. I think the world would be better off with the elimination of reviews in any sport. Let the chips fall where they may, some are correct, some incorrect. Complaining about officials is part of sport.
You state Fri nights game is "huge" for Ore State. Later you mention Oregon has two "opportunities" left on their schedule (I guess) to erase the 46 point crushing. I am curious, did Washington also leave the Pac? You managed to cover that without even mentioning the UW program in any way. Hard for me to believe that doesn't mean something. Its OK that you are all Oegon/Ore State, LA schools and Bo Nix all the time. We get that. But a little token balnce in your touching on the conference would add the the content.
Dilly to ASU...NOOOOO!
He'd do well to reflect on the last two Ducks coaches.
Yo Brian… as the minority segment up here, we’ve got to keep these homers in place 😁. Let’s hope the Utes AND the Bevs do us right!
John you must be doing a good job. Lots of critics mean lots of readers.
Random Thoughts;
- latest “official” official debacle; USC brings out the best of our PAC12 refs, but it’s getting old
- Portland State; Stellar performance with no acknowledgement…
- Beavers; got a crew of Beaver fans coming over Friday for the Husky game, including a grandson and a son-in-law. It’s a shame to make family cry…
- Oregon; Bo and company are getting better every week. Looking forward to traveling to Eugene Saturday to give the Ducks their first conference loss 😎
GO DAWGS