SALT LAKE CITY — After No. 9 BYU topped rival Utah 22-21 due to a last-second subject objective Saturday evening to stay unbeaten, Utes athletic director Mark Harlan approached the rostrum in Utah’s postgame press convention space and stated, “This sport was completely stolen from us.”
“We have been enthusiastic about being within the Massive 12, however tonight I’m not,” Harlan stated. “We received this sport. Another person stole it from us. I’m very dissatisfied. I’ll speak to the commissioner. This isn’t honest to our group. I’m disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight.”
A message from Utah AD Mark Harlan: pic.twitter.com/thI9hNRdbY
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 10, 2024
Utah held a 21-19 lead over BYU late within the fourth quarter when the officers known as a holding penalty on Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn on a fourth-and-10 from BYU’s 9-yard line. Utah sacked BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff on the play for a turnover on downs with 1:35 left within the sport that might’ve all however sealed the victory for Utah, however a holding name was whistled on Vaughn.
Right here’s the penalty that prolonged the eventual game-winning drive for BYU
This was a 4th down sack to finish the sport, however known as defensive holding
Announcers say “actually good name” however that could be very debatable pic.twitter.com/RGpw9Qy8nA
— Choose Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) November 10, 2024
Given new life and a renewed probability at salvaging their undefeated season, BYU drove all the way down to the Utah 26-yard line, and kicker Will Ferrin drilled the game-winning 44-yard subject objective with 4 seconds remaining. Whereas BYU improved to 9-0 and is now one in every of simply 4 remaining undefeated groups left in school soccer this season, Utah misplaced its fifth straight sport in heart-wrenching trend.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham was visibly upset with the officiating after the sport. “Issues on the market have been ridiculous,” Whittingham stated. “That’s how I’ll depart it.”
Utah was one in every of 4 new packages to start Massive 12 play in 2024 alongside Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado.
(Picture: Chris Gardner / Getty Photographs)
