Apparently eager to join the big boys in the SEC and Big Ten, the Big East replay official assigned to tonight's West Virginia-Cincinnati game made a controversial reversal, that adds more fuel to the national perception that conference officials are protecting their top BCS cash cows.
On this night, the controversy began with 5:26 remaining in the second quarter with the No. 5 Bearcats, trailing 14-7 and facing a first-and-goal at the Mountaineer two-yard-line.
That's when Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead tested the middle of the West Virginia defense and had to take to the air as he approached the end zone. As he reached the apex of his leap, Pead lost control of the football, which was eventually recovered by West Virginia.
As you knew it would, play was halted for the replay official upstairs in the press box to take a look. But when the verdict came down few anticipated a ruling that denied the Mountaineers the football and instead granted Pead a touchdown, saying that the football broke the plane of the goal line. All the Bearcat fans that jammed into Nippert Stadium seemed to initially respond with disbelief before celebrating.
Even if the plane was broken, and that's certainly not clear, Pead may not have had possession at that time as the football appeared to be coming loose.
It's the same ol' story, one that's been told nearly a dozen times this season, a replay official seems to have once again seen indisputable evidence to overturn a call on the field that no one else saw. And it always benefits the higher ranked team.
This time it allowed Cincinnati to be tied 14-14 with West Virginia as they went to the locker rooms for halftime.
If the Bearcats eventually improve to 10-0 with a tight victory in this game, get ready for more complaining and conspiracy theories. And rightfully so.
Big East just trying to catch up with the SEC who has been doing this for years.
don't know what was worse, the refs or the playcalling by Stewart & Mullen... get the WVU alumni together and buyout stewart, he only got the job because Pat white endorsed him & the fiesta bowl win, pastilong wasn't thinking long term, DOC Holiday should be HC..
I thought it was a TD watching it as it happened live. When the game cut to commercial, I kicked in the Tivo and saw the same thing several times. As I understand the rule - the ball has to break the plane - which in my (and the replay officials) opinion it very clearly did.
That bald headed announcer going on and on about his take on the rule and the play made him look foolish when the call was overturned.
I think it was the right call be the replay official - he did use replay to "get it right", over-ruling the ruling on the field.
Ha you must not be a Bearcat fan. I was at the game in fact I was on the field standing on the goal line and yes that ball did crossed. If there is a shot look at the ref on the Bearcat side of the goal line he started to raise his arms for a TD and then put them back down to make sure it was a TD. The ball crossed and it was a touchdown if they did not get that call right it would have been a big mistake by the refs. Say what you want but that was a TD. For your other calls around the league I think some of the refs have had a few mess ups but nothing as bad at the Denver Charger game last year.
BCS - Big Corrupted Schools
Too big to fail? Now where did I hear this refrain before? Too big to fail? When this country is virtually on it moralistic knees and looking up to the rest of the world, I guess all we will be able to say is "We are too big to fail!!!" This psychosis (loss of contact with reality) has permeated throughout every aspect of our society. Sports is not a refuge any longer.
While the ball did cross the line, he didn't have control over the ball. Even if you get the ball over the line you still need to be able to hold onto it..