Following yesterday’s ridiculous and controversial ending to the Duke-Miami game, in which Miami lateraled the football on a kickoff return eight times before hitting daylight and scoring a walk-off touchdown to upset the Blue Devils in Durham, the ACC has suspended the officiating crew for two games as a result of their officiating blunder in the heat of the moment.
ACC commissioner John Swofford said the final play was not handled properly by the officiating crew, including the replay official. The league says the replay official was wrong in not declaring Miami’s Mark Walton down before he flipped the ball, and the on-field crew should have flagged the Hurricanes for an illegal block in the back.
“The quality of our officiating program is of the highest importance to the league and its schools, and the last play of the game was not handled appropriately,” Swofford said. “Officiating is an extraordinarily difficult job but our players, coaches, programs and fans deserve the best that can be offered. We will continue to strive to meet that standard.”
There is no word on whether the ACC will overturn the result of the game, as many feel would be appropriate given the video evidence. That, however, appears unlikely and is rather unprecedented. While having and using technology to its fullest potential should allow for conferences to step in and make such rational decisions regarding the outcome of a game, it is a line that has not been crossed for this kind of extreme circumstance. Maybe that day will soon come, and maybe the ACC will feel it appropriate to make such a decision now. Just do not hold your breath waiting for that to happen. This may be the end of this story right here.