Big 12 Conference officials working the Colorado-Iowa State game were confronted with a “bizarre” situation at the end of the game Saturday, but they ultimately got it right, the league’s coordinator of officials said.
Walt Anderson discussed the situation with coach Dan Hawkins on Monday morning and Hawkins came away from the conversation saying he was satisfied with the explanation he received. He referred questions to the conference office.
Anderson said he reviewed the game tape Sunday and determined officials correctly ruled CU had committed a penalty in the final second of play by snapping the ball for a tying field-goal attempt before it had been declared eligible for play.
Place-kicker Kevin Eberhart made the 50-yard attempt, but the potential tying points in the 31-28 ISU victory were wiped away by the flag.
Anderson said the officials assessed a 5-yard penalty, marked the ball ready for play and re-started the clock. Eberhart kicked the 55-yard field goal, but it was disallowed when officials said the snap didn’t come in time.
Anderson said the second snap took approximately 2 seconds from the time officials ruled the ball ready for play and started the clock, which had only 1 second showing.
Anderson said rules call for the clock to go back to its original status before the penalty was called. The clock was running at the time because the Buffs had no time outs. Hesaid there is an exception to the rule calling for the clock to be re-started but it is not intended for the situation that unfolded Saturday.
“The exception that is in there is to prevent a team that is wanting to run the clock out,” Anderson said. “So if it becomes fourth down and the defense is going to get the ball, but rather than punting the ball they just line up in a scrimmage kick formation and intentionally let the clock run out. Because it was running, the rule says that you assess the penalty and then you wind the clock. That exception is in there so that a team is not allowed just to bleed the clock down.”
“It’s also at the referee’s discretion because the opposite also holds true. If you have a team that doesn’t want the clock to run but doesn’t have any time outs, you don’t allow them, in essence, to commit a foul thereby causing the clock to stop.”
College football differs from the National Football League in such situations because of rules that govern the play clock.
In the college game, the play clock does not start until the ball has been marked ready for play. In the NFL, the play clock begins at the end of the preceding play, which means as soon as the official sets the ball down at the appropriate spot it is ready to be snapped.
Anderson said the football rules committee was in favor of adopting a rule change last winter that would make the college game the same as the pro game in regard to the play clock. He said an overwhelming number of coaches and officials are in favor of the change but the rule was not passed by the NCAA.
Instead, it is one of several possible changes being studied this season. Anderson said the CU-Iowa State game will probably be used as one example for the need to change the rule in the coming offseason.
Under current rules, officials are expected to be consistent throughout the game in the amount of time it takes them to spot the ball and mark it ready for play. He said changing the rule would remove the requirement for consistency and make things easier on everyone, including players, coaches and officials.
“We try to use some common sense, understanding that every team in a situation like that is going to be in more of a hurry than they typically would be in the middle of the first quarter,” Anderson said. “So we try to get the ball out and get it set, but we still have to make the ball ready for play.
“We still have to let both players and officials have an opportunity to get set.”
What!?!?!?!? So the official has to decide between being consistent (as called for in his job description) and deciding the outcome of the game! And what kind of official faced with that decision doesn’t abandon constancy to avoid choosing who wins the game?
nhilo32
11/13/2007 8:26:15 AM
On the first kick how in the world do 11 players run onto the field, line up and get set for a FG before a ref can set the ball? Seems like he could have moved a little faster considering the situation. If CU had waited for the ref to blow the whistle the clock would have run out so it seems odd that CU is penalized for being ready before the ref. This was a HUGE situation, 5-6 instead of a chance at 6-5 is not just another game, its something that could have major repercussions for a program like CU.
Next, what about the ref saying it was a “dead ball” penalty? Doesn’t that mean the clock is stopped until the snap?
Also, after the penalty, in situations like this most refs will remind the snapper or captain he needs to hurry b/c the clock will start with the whistle, especially in college.
But really CU should have never been in the situation and especially b/c of the 3rd down play. Cody HAS to know you can’t throw a 1 yd pass on 3rd and 2 w/ no TO’s and only 15 sec’s left. You HAVE to throw it past the 1st down marker. That’s just inexcusable.
trubuff
11/13/2007 8:35:21 AM
No, the offense is not allowed to stop the clock with a dead ball penalty.
They never have been, otherwise the dead ball penalty would become the method of choice to stop the clock when the coach has blown all of his time outs(ie, no loss of down as with spiking the ball).
The ref made the correct call.
TheDoctorisin
11/13/2007 8:53:54 AM
The rule is the rule. It needs to change to be like the NFL. Didn’t the Broncos win one game and get one to OT with the same play?
I agree 100% with trubuff, bad decision on third down by Cody, needed to be enough for 1st down, out of bounds or throw it away.
mtnboykev35@hotmail.com
11/13/2007 8:55:40 AM
Surprise, surprise, the Big 12 says they got it right.
I notice that no mention was made of how badly the officials communicated with the players and each other. That’s the root cause of this SNAFU.
chartguy
11/13/2007 9:01:27 AM
I kinda wish you guys would stop concentrating on the call and concentrate on the fact that Kevin Eberhart continues to miss field goals that put the team in a bind. I wonder what happens if he makes the field goals against FSU, Kansas, and most recently Iowa State?
The fact that he appears to be rather clutch is diminished by the fact that on average his field goal kicking sucks.
CincyBuffFan
11/13/2007 9:14:17 AM
Referee Clete Blakeman is a former Husker player! Are you freakin kidding me?!? Who the hell put him in charge of a CU football game? No wonder 11 guyswere able to run onto the field, get set and snap the ball before the ball was “properly” set. For some reason Clete wasn’t in a hurry….. gee, I wonder why? What a crock! Another reason to beat up on the Fuskers. RUN, RUN, RUN them into the ground. CU shouldn’t even throw a pass unless its 3rd and long…. and with the pink shirts run defense that shouldn’t happen.
GO BUFFS!!!
trubuff
11/13/2007 9:14:57 AM
I must have an outdated or incorrect rule book. The rule as I found it says:
4. Fouls that occur in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter as well as the last two minutes of the first half will result in the clock starting on the snap.
Since their calls were ruled correct by the conference office, I allow for the situation that I’m confused on the proper rule, but number 4 seemed to apply.
gary.forsberg@hill.af.mil
11/13/2007 9:27:30 AM
The call is unfortunate, especially since Eberhart made both kicks. I also know Eberhart has had difficulty with simple kicks all year. and his field goals missed have really put us in a bind against FSU, KU, and ISU.
Hawkins made a bad decision not throwing for a first down, no doubt. His decision making is not improving through the year.
In fact it appears the game is ‘too fast’ for our players mentally and physically. We’re not making good decisions and when we do, we’re not physical enough to ‘finish’.
I don’t know what team NU’s bringing but I don’t know what team CU’s bringing either. Scary game coming up.
JBuff
11/13/2007 9:27:58 AM
I don’t buy it. I read the rules myself. I want an apology.
Ralphie2
11/13/2007 9:32:51 AM
The call is technically correct, but its the way the ex-husker ref dealt with the situation. From not hurrying to set the ball on the 1st kick and then not explaining the call to the players and telling them the clock will start on the whistle. Its bad refereeing and calls into question the motivation/bias of the husker-ref Clete.
trubuff
11/13/2007 9:44:59 AM
It sounds to me like the refs were determined to avoid OT. The kid hits two 50+, at some point you have to give it to him. It sounds like poor sportsmanship on the refs part. Very Lame. Tough one CU. Take it out on the big Red. Lets score 80.
spankymcgee
11/13/2007 9:50:47 AM
There is only one remedy: KICK THE CORN OUT OF THE FUSKERS!!!!!
cubuff85
11/13/2007 10:07:01 AM
I agree Trubuff. Eberhart has hit clutch field goals but they’ve been “clutch” because he’s missed so many others. He always misses his first kick for some reason. I think the refs were extremely rigid on the second FG against ISU. It should be blatant for them to rule two seconds transpired. Looked to me like Drescher had begun the motion in time.
Saheeb
11/13/2007 10:08:07 AM
I don’t subscribe to the conspiracy theories about the refs. But, for conversation purposes, tell me this, let’s say the same thing happens in a huge rivalry game like Auburn-Georgia or Ohio State-Michigan. One team hits the tying field goal but the ref rules they snapped it too late. Turns out the ref played years ago for the other team’s rival. If Georgia lost to Auburn on that kind of a call and it came out the ref making the call played for Auburn years ago it would be major news. People would be going ape s**t. It would be all over the media and the NCAA would institute some rule about former players not being allowed to ref against their former team’s rival. Could you imagine if a ref that was a former Buff made the same call on a kick in a CU-Nebraska game? I’m glad this Cu-ISU game wasn’t a home game for us. Our fans would have created an ugly bottle-throwing scene that would not have helped our image (no matter how justified!).
Saheeb
11/13/2007 10:10:42 AM
The HUSKER ref didn’t get the ball set in time, thats the point and he should be fired for it, Blatent abuse of officiating to throw a game
buffalo_flyer
11/13/2007 10:14:25 AM
That’s incorrect, by rule the ref has to be consistant throughout the game, he’s not allowed to “hurry up” to help the offense, regardless of who has the ball the defense should have time to set also.
The replay shows consistant setting of the ball by the ref, they did everything correct and by the book.
TheDoctorisin
11/13/2007 10:17:34 AM
Refs said, “moose” we heard “deer!” How do you blow a 21 point lead?? Awful tough to take coach Hawk! I hope these Buffies don’t help Callahan try and save his job! Beat Nebraska!!!! BAD!! Probably no bowl this year but lots of positives nonetheless.
dougw65
11/13/2007 10:27:00 AM
With some notable exceptions that seem more based on ineptitude (like the famous 5th down), Big 12 refs do seem biased against the Buffs. C’mon, that Nebraska ref could not get the ball down any quicker than that? Totally bogus. I wish someone had some stats on historical penalities for and against the Buffs both in Big 12 play and elsewhere. I know it is anecdotal, since I do not have statistics to back it up, but it seems as though the Buffs get a fairer shake when they are playing with refs outside the Big 12 then with Big 12 refs. I know this is sour grapes, teams make their own luck, the Buffs shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place, Cody should not have thrown that pass, etc, etc, but the bottom line is that this is just another reason I wish CU could move to the PAC 10. They would be the quaint team from the Midwest rather than the a-hole, hippy liberals from the West. Sigh. OK, I am done, but I just want to say in conclusion that “It isn’t paranoia if they really are all out to get you.”
GO BUFFS! Thrash the Corn!
phibuffa
11/13/2007 10:58:57 AM
Yeah they should have given one of the field goals to the kid. No need to follow the rules or anything. If you watch the replay, the ref winds the clock and at least two seconds elapse. The long snapper and the special teams coaches are to blame.
nejndarb
11/13/2007 11:07:06 AM
Did anyone really expect anything different from the head of the refs? If you have ever formally carried a protest yourself to one of these reffing associations (and there usually is no one else you can turn to…no one refs the refs)you always find a brick wall Perry Mason couldnt crack.
once again
no refs should be allowed from locations where football is the only thing people look to for ego gratificaton….ie: NE foremost and then OK. One might be tempted to include TX but at least there are enough teams in that state to thin out the favoritism.
extrapoint
11/13/2007 11:12:10 AM
It seems quite clear that there simply was not enough time to get the kick off. By snapping it early couldn’t a team always get a “bonus” time-out before the clock expired?
Oh well, it’s only football. Yeah, it’s fun, but it’s not the end of the world.
same@same.net
11/13/2007 11:37:51 AM
Change the headline to:
“Big 12 Officials Confirm Covering of Own A$$es”
Anonymous_Coward
11/13/2007 12:12:00 PM
This is absolute garbage. True, they did “technically” address the calls made on the field, but the calls that were made on the field would have had no reason to exist in the first place had the officiating crew not been OVERWHELMINGLY INCOMPETENT.
If you aren’t going to suspend Clete Blakeman for making bad calls, you absolutely have to suspend him for taking FIFTEEN SECONDS to get a ball set during a firedrill field goal situation. Furthermore, you’d sure as hell better make sure he NEVER officiates another Colorado football game for the rest of his life.
Absolutely inexcusable. If this nonsense had happened to Alabama, you’d find more effigies of Blakeman hanging from the trees than you’d find leaves on their branches.
JasperJohns
11/13/2007 12:16:15 PM
Mike Leach just received the largest fine ever levied by the Big Twelve for criticizing the officials. Does that seem like a move to engender confidence in the officiating or are they sending a very clear message to take our word for it, or else? If the conference had any credibility they have blown it.
Buffaloed
11/13/2007 1:49:44 PM
He said Buffaloe, We heard Mice.
Quit your winning you bottle throwing wussies.
Bigredone
11/13/2007 2:24:14 PM
Gosh
Doesnt bigredone sound like a starting left tackle?
No way he is one of those fans that needs a football team for his voyeur manhood props?
extrapoint
11/13/2007 2:32:20 PM
Yo Buttfalosers another beatdown coming to your citay. The Cawk got circumcised by one our own at ISU. Snip snip fools. How do you like them apples? I am out rack’em.
HornFan1
11/13/2007 2:50:27 PM
That’s awesome the Big Red is beating you fools on and off the field. Where can I send my thanks and my check to Mr. Blakeman at?
HornFan1
11/13/2007 2:53:15 PM
about isu/cu refereeing.
the clock governs everything in football, almost. how about a rule that requires the officials to have the ball spotted within 10 seconds of the whistle ending the previous play – if the crew doesn’t meet it, the clock stops until they do. if the clock stops for this reason, then the play clock starts at 15 instead of 25 seconds. this rule also would allow grading of officials and would eliminate the slow ones. it would also have many other beneficial effects, too.
buffalotom
11/13/2007 3:07:57 PM
Except for the games at Ames and Manhattan, the officiating for CU games has been fair. Both of those games were worked by Clete Blakeman’s officiating crew.
buffman30
11/13/2007 3:25:27 PM
Clete Blakeman is a distinguished person and obviously the smartest man in the stadium when it comes to Puffs and Purple Kittens or Okies.
HornFan1
11/13/2007 3:33:50 PM
“Quit your winning you bottle throwing wussies”
I think bigred-done meant to say whining. Yes lets. The Buffs simply aren’t very good. Let’s hope they can pull one out against nebraska in the epic struggle between two 5-6 football teams for the right to play in the typewriter maintenance bowl. Huzzah.
T1
11/13/2007 4:19:26 PM
Clete cant play his hand in every game. Even his a**hole buddies at the top would have a fit. He saw a prime opening and took it.
Any one know who is reffing this one? No Fuskers please. Hopefully Hawkins gottem to at least promise that.
extrapoint
11/13/2007 4:53:09 PM
I find something interesting about an x-husker referring in a Big 12 contest. When I was working on getting certified to ref HS ball here in IL there was a rule that I wouldn’t be able to ref games played by my HS or in the same conference due to potential bias.
Looking forward to a time when I might be able to ref big league games, I was excited about the prospect of coming back to Boulder for a weekend and ref a CU game. I thought (and stress thought) I found a rule stating the same as the IL HS rule that I wouldn’t be able to ref a game played by CU or any Big 12 match. Apparently I was incorrect because Clete is doing it.
This call blows and the Big 12’s explanation blows more. The reality is that the Buffs shouldn’t have gotten themselves in that situation. The players need to mature and stop losing 100-yards a game to stupid penalties and Hawk needs to stop making decisions that his current players can’t execute.
If I was to blame any one person for the debacle it’s Matt DiLallo. What was his average punt that day, about 20-yards? Most people point the finger at Hawk for that 4th down play but even if he hadn’t gone for it, ISU would have had the ball on their own 40 thanks to Matt’s anemic leg. He’s normally a great weapon because he’s got a strong leg but Saturday he was way off.
I’m pissed, disgusted and disappointed but I’m still a true Buffs fan! I kind of like the idea of CU being 5-6 and NU being 5-6 and slugging it out in Boulder to see who’s going to some Kolher toilet bowl. If I wasn’t going to Boston for the weekend, I’d drag my poor wife to Boulder for the game.
GO BUFFS!!!!!
ChicagoBuffsFan
11/13/2007 7:25:25 PM
The Buffs need to move on and focus on the Cornhuskers (and not the bizarre ending to the Iowa State game). A couple of last thoughts. I always think it is ironic when the head of officials for a conference, etc. comments that all the calls in a controversial game were correct. What else would be expected? And, typically it is stated that the coach, who’s team was affected by the officiating, is satisfied with the explanation. In reality the coach knows better than saying anything negative as they could be sanctioned. Since I can’t be sanctioned, I can say that I disagree with Anderson’s interpretation of the rule as written (and the rule’s explantion as written in the rule book). Either the rule needs to be clarified or changed. Further, Anderson’s justification is based on “we have to allow the players and officials an opportunity to get set.” This must be Anderson’s interpretation of the first field goal (when ironically the players on both teams were set), but yet the field goal was wiped off and the Buffs were penalized for delay of game.
But go back and watch the second field goal attempt in slow motion. Eberhart was still stepping off and was moving into position to kick when Blakeman inexplicably started the clock. The bottom line is the Buffs were not set and Blakeman did not even give them a fair chance to get set and attempt the field goal. After watching Blakeman and his crew work several games this year (and in particular the Iowa State game), I think they are one of the poorer crews in the Big 12. For example, the Buffs were hit for two mysterious chop blocks within minutes of each other when they had not been hit for that penalty all year. And after going back and watching the replays, I think both calls were questionable at best. I have no idea why the Big 12 assigned Blakeman to this game (and I do not want to go down the conspiracy road), but the outcome of this game may have an impact on whether his former team gets to go to a bowl. If Nebraska and Colorado have similar records at the end of the season, I would think that most bowls would take Nebraska as they travel better (bring more fans).
Frankly, because of this potential conflict, I think that Blakeman should be officiating in another conference and not the Big 12 where he can impact things (even if unintentional) He is an attorney and should understand conflicts and the avoidance of the appearance of any impropriety (even if no impropriety has occurred). Certainly the Big 12 should understand the same.
drchrisman@msn.com
11/13/2007 9:32:45 PM
So Blakeman is an attorney. Imagine that. He cant get in enough orchestration can he?
Control freaks are just that….freaks.
I used to play organized hockey. Once I started playing in the rec leagues I played against guys who were also refs in the same leagues. Guess who the dirtiest players were? I made the mistake of giving back more than I got. He got his revenge by shadowing my kid when he was reffing his games.
Absolutely no shame.
Protests to the ref organization, the only avenue possible, with undeniable videotape got nowhere….well worse than nowhere, even more of the same on the ice.
Now they are even getting away with gambling in the NBA.
Whining about the refs is the favorite excuse of a lot of losers. On the other hand absolute power corrupts. There has to be another arbitrator when the incident merits it.
extrapoint
11/13/2007 9:59:55 PM
All this talk that the Buffs shouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place, is a bunch of crap.
Yea, they blew a lead and didn’t play near as good as they did in the first half, but that’s football!
If they played perfectly all the time, we’d be 11-0 right now. Truth is, that’s football. That’s how it plays out sometimes.
But what’s not football, is what the Buffs cannot control. Very poor perforance by the refs. Absolutely poor job. Absolute bull**it!!!
I agree w/others, maybe the rule was interpreted right. But now we really know why the Buffs should have never been in that situation. Because a certain, former Fusker, sorry excuse for a ref, couldn’t get the ball set in time for his old nemesis, to get a kick off. I hope the gutless, screwey prick can sleep at night, knowing he’s pulling crap like that. What a joke!
The only way I can let this go, is if we re-set Nebraska’s record for worst defeat ever. The record we just lost thanks to Kansas. Time to take it back! Run it up and show no mercy!
Go Buffs! Show up strong local fans. We need to drown out the little red clowns and their sidekick fans!
Sorry, I had to vent!
Once again, GO BUFFS! See you all next week!
IAM4CUINIOWA
11/13/2007 10:19:04 PM
I have followed Buff football for years and generally speaking Big 12..and Big 8..refs are/were pretty lousy..they are horribly inconsistent..look at the chop block calls..ridiculous and they weren’t called on us all season..also, the punt coverage call against us in the Missouri game was a joke..and I saw a very similar play in the ISU game..no call….lastly, have no idea why the former Neb QB is even allowed to ref in the Big 12..
william.nicholas@qwest.com
11/14/2007 8:58:28 AM
It just seems strange to me that there is and never has been accountability for officials when they don’t perform up to standards. Whether or not the calles in the ISU game were correct, there have been times this year where inexplicable calls have been made with no recourse for the supposed error. Where is the fine for them? Leagues want to protect their officials, but at the same time won’t hold them accountable when they make an obvious mistake.
boulderknight13
11/14/2007 9:34:46 AM
Hmmm…you are all funny little people. Think it through…I promise to speak slowly. Let us say that Mr. Blakeman was, God forbid, biased and he wanted to take the opportunity to screw over a half-baked wannabe team. Keep this in mind, Buffies. Nebraska has already beaten the big, bad Cyclones. Are you following yet? Ok, Then I will speak slower. NEBRASKA WOULD WANT THE BUFFIES TO HAVE A BETTER RECORD THAN THEY HAVE SO THE EVENTUAL WIN WOULD LOOK BETTER THAN IT WILL NOW TO IMPRESS THE BOWLS. Hmmm, I think anyone outside of the state of Colorado could figure that out.
NCHusker
11/14/2007 11:02:21 AM
Hmmm, NC, I think anybody outside the state of Nebraska would figure out that common-opponent comparisons don’t mean crap.
So, I will speak SLOWLY… Nebraska 41, Ball State 40; Colorado 42, Miami (Ohio) 0; Miami (Ohio) 14, Ball State 13.
Still don’t get it? Okay, even SLOWER. Kansas 19, Colorado 14; Kansas 76, Nebraska 39.
Judging by those select games, CU should probably win by, oh, I dunno know, maybe 49-12? 45-10?
Please… All of these comparisons are meaningless, as, at this point, is what happened at the end of Iowa State game.
I for one hope your football team comes in as cocky as the Husker fans doing their drive-bys on this blog.
rodrigo
11/14/2007 11:26:14 AM
oh, rodrigo, I was not comparing games. I was simply stating that if Mr. Blakeman were in the frame of mind to sabotage a team, he would not have chosen the buffies, knowing in his, according to the bumpkins on this board, nefarious mind that a better buffie record would look better to bowl selection personel when the Huskers dismantle you. See, miscommunication cleared up.
NCHusker
11/14/2007 12:15:56 PM
NCHusker:
You are completely missing the point. Blakeman’s objectivity could be compromised even unintentionally due to his past allegiances. We tend to be extremely loyal to our past schools (especially athletes), and the towns we live in and their teams, etc. Blakeman is a former QB who played at Nebraska and is an attorney who practices law in Omaha. Accordingly, his connections and loyalties go very deep with the Cornhuskers and the State of Nebraska. As much as I would like to think that Blakeman could keep his bias and loyalties out when he officiates, practically and realistically, I don’t think it can be done. Case-in point, your postings demonstrate your bias and loyalty to the Huskers. Obviously you should not be allowed to officiate any game in the Big 12, nor should Blakeman. In regard to your point regarding common-opponent comparisons, I think it is irrelevant. In the end, bowl committee decisions come down to one big thing–money. Simply, the Huskers will win out for bowl bids against other teams simply because they travel better than virtually any other team. There are many examples from the past when the Huskers have been picked for bowls over other teams, who arguably, were more deserving. Regardless, the Big 12 (and other conferences) need to take a look at conflict and integrity issues regarding their officials.
drchrisman@msn.com
11/14/2007 1:06:18 PM
NCFusker,
I guarentee that if the shoe were on the other foot, you would be just as pissed as we are! Especially if a former Buff were the referee.
Don’t try to be condacending to us, we can see right thru your BS too.
Plain and simple. Former athletes, etc. w/ties to a certain conference, should not be allowed to officiate in any of that conference’s games. Period. Then this kind of thing never comes up.
GO BUFFS!!
IAM4CUINIOWA
11/14/2007 2:44:38 PM
someone on another article said it best. Imagine the outrage in Lincoln if Hagan was allowed to ref one of their games
extrapoint
11/14/2007 8:33:34 PM
