Big Sky admits officiating error late in Idaho-Sac State football game
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 1 month AGO
The Big Sky Conference has suspended “multiple officials” after they erred on a critical call late in Saturday’s Idaho-Sacramento State football game in Sacramento, won by Sac State 23-20.
With Sac State facing second down and 2 from the Idaho 20-yard line in the final minute, Hornets quarterback Cardell Williams threw a pass down the right sideline to Jordan Anderson, who was ruled to have made the catch at the 2-yard line.
The Vandals contended Anderson’s right foot landed out of bounds before his right shoulder landed inbounds.
The play was reviewed, and the call was upheld.
One play later, Williams ran it in from 2 yards out with 9 seconds left, and Sac State went on to win.
“In conjunction with its coordinator of football officials, the Big Sky Conference has reviewed the play with 12 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the football game Saturday between Sacramento State and Idaho,” the Big Sky said in a statement. “The officials on the field called a pass attempt by Sacramento State successful, and replay did not overturn this call.
“It was evident that incorrect judgment was applied to this play,” the statement from the conference continued. “The Big Sky acknowledges and regrets this error in officiating, and as a result has suspended multiple officials who worked that contest. The conference office will have no further public comment on this matter.”
After the game, Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr. Said, “we got one taken from us.”
On Monday, at his weekly news conference with area media, Ford reacted to the Big Sky’s statement.
“It shows that the Big Sky cares, and they didn’t get it right in the moment, but they wanted to make it right as best they could,” he said. “You can’t go back and replay the down by any stretch, but it was good to be validated in the sense that they did make a statement to get it right, and I’m very appreciative of the Big Sky and the commissioner for doing so.”
Idaho (4-7, 2-5 Big Sky) had already been eliminated from FCS playoff contention the week before.
The win helped Sac State (7-4, 5-2) remain in playoff contention.
Idaho wraps up the season Saturday at home vs. Idaho State.