Eugene, Ore. – Upon further review, this instant replay format needs further review.
The alleged panacea that became uniform across the country this year caused more controversy than it solved Saturday in two bizarre games that left coaches complaining, fans fuming and players crying.
Oklahoma lost here to the University of Star Trek, once known as the Oregon Ducks before Nike’s uniform change, 34-33, on the strength of two calls that probably should have been reversed. Meanwhile, at Auburn, Louisiana State lost 7-3, aided by a call that was reversed and maybe shouldn’t have been.
I didn’t see the controversial replays in Eugene. I went to the sideline when Oklahoma took a two-touchdown lead and was busy after the game flogging its defense. But upon further review, Oklahoma got hosed. So much so, Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione is seeking a review of officials.
The Pacific-10 crew awarded the ball to Oregon after its onside kick with 1:06 left, but it reviewed the play trying to determine whether an Oregon player touched it before going the required 10 yards. Even though Oregon’s Brian Paysinger later said he touched it first, officials ruled a Sooner had. Furthermore, they also somehow never saw the ball squirt out from the pack and Oklahoma’s Allen Patrick pick it up like a guy finding a dollar in the street.
Officials ruled Oregon’s Patrick Chung had the ball, but Patrick went to the sideline and told coach Bob Stoops: “Coach, the ball was laying on the ground. I didn’t take it from nobody.”
Then on Oregon’s second play from the Oklahoma 37, safety Darien Williams was called for interference. Stoops, who had no timeouts left and couldn’t challenge the play, saw defensive end C.J. Ah You tip it at the line of scrimmage, thus allowing all contact on receivers. Stoops told referee David Cutaia tips can be reviewed, which he did. The play stood. Too bad they didn’t talk to one player who had a better view.
Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon. “Coach asked me, and I said yes, it was tipped at the line,” Dixon said.
On the next play from the 23, Dixon hit Paysinger for the winning score.
“The instant replay was brought up to eliminate issues like this. And here, there are a number of issues that are clearly – looking at video – wrong,” Stoops said Sunday.
At Auburn, in a game that probably decided the SEC West, LSU was driving for the go-ahead score when cornerback Zach Gilbert was called for interference on Craig Davis on fourth down inside the 5-yard line with 2:33 left. On the review, officials ruled safety Eric Brock tipped the ball before the contact and the flag was waved off.
But the replays, while not nearly as clear as Oregon’s, showed the tip came after Gilbert hit Davis.
The replay system is here to stay. Here’s hoping some of those who are running it do not.
Fall of the Irish
The South Bend (Ind.) Tribune’s headline said it best: “A Maize-ing disgrace.” Notre Dame’s monumental 47-21 home humiliation to Michigan exposed an Irish secondary that was obviously overrated and highlighted a Michigan defense that was underrated.
Going into its last drive of the first half, Notre Dame had been outgained 235-35 yards. The best defensive line Michigan’s Lloyd Carr said he has coached held Darius Walker to 25 yards on 10 carries.
“I’ve got concerns with every facet of the team right now,” said Irish coach Charlie Weis, whose ears were still ringing from the mocking “Rudy! Rudy!” chant from the Michigan section. “You name it, I got concerns.”
TCWho?
Hey, want to make it the Big 13? Bring in Texas Christian. The Horned Frogs have won their past four games against Big 12 teams and their national-best 13-game win streak is their longest in 68 years. Before its first sellout since 1984, TCU held its sixth straight opponent to fewer than 60 yards rushing in its 12-3 win over Texas Tech.
“I get tired of being treated like a stepchild in this state and this town,” coach Gary Patterson said. “And my guys are, too.”
They not only will get respect soon, they may get rich, too. After moving up from 20th to 16th, TCU has four more spots to reach No. 12 and an automatic BCS bowl berth.
Huskers red again
It wasn’t so much Nebraska’s 28-10 loss to Southern California that was disturbing but the way it lost. With inexperience at tailback, the Cornhuskers ran 36 times and passed 17. They averaged only 1.9 yards per carry.
“We knew that we could come in and run the football,” coach Bill Callahan said.
Even more impressive than USC’s defense, which may be its best in Pete Carroll’s six years, is USC topped 20 points for its 54th straight game. It was also its 34th straight regular-season win and 28th straight at home.
Coker’s cooked
Get the shortlist ready for the Miami job. The 31-7 pratfall at Louisville made Larry Coker 13-8 in his past 21 games.
It marked the fifth straight loss in which Miami was shut out in the second half.
“Right now we’re kidding ourselves if we think we’re pretty good,” Coker said.
Meanwhile, don’t feel sorry for Louisville, which lost quarterback Brian Brohm for four to six weeks with a thumb injury. Sophomore backup Hunter Cantwell started the last two games in 2005 and this season is 9-for-11 for 179 yards and a touchdown.
Staff writer John Henderson can be reached at 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.
