Michael82
09-19-2006, 09:57 AM
The Pacific-10 Conference, finding merit in Oklahoma's complaints about the officiating in its loss to Oregon, issued a one-game suspension Monday to the officiating crew and the instant replay officials who worked the game, and an apology to the Sooners.
The Ducks won the game 34-33 after scoring two touchdowns in the final 72 seconds.
"Errors clearly were made and not corrected, and for that we apologize to the University of Oklahoma, coach Bob Stoops and his players," Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen said in a statement. "They played an outstanding college football game, as did Oregon, and it is regrettable that the outcome of the contest was affected by the officiating."
After the Sooners' practice Monday, Stoops said the apology brought him no satisfaction.
"At least they have reacted to it and tried. Truly there can be no amends to it and it can't be corrected," Stoops said.
The loss was Oklahoma's first of the season and immediately lessens the Sooners' chances of making it to a third BCS title game in four years.
"I've made a million mistakes," Stoops said. "I'll make a million more in each game, and in that game included, I wish there were things I could have done differently or changed. Unlike officials, players and coaches don't have that opportunity. They had an opportunity to get it right and they chose not to. So I find it still absolutely inexcusable and unacceptable."
Two plays were reviewed on Oregon's game-winning drive -- an onside kick that gave the Ducks possession and a pass interference call one play before Oregon's winning touchdown.
Hansen said the onside kick was touched by an Oregon player before it had traveled the required 10 yards, and, therefore, the ball should have been awarded to Oklahoma. The video also shows an Oklahoma player actually recovered the ball, although that aspect of the play was not reviewable under the instant replay rule.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cfootball/285593_pac19.html
The Ducks won the game 34-33 after scoring two touchdowns in the final 72 seconds.
"Errors clearly were made and not corrected, and for that we apologize to the University of Oklahoma, coach Bob Stoops and his players," Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen said in a statement. "They played an outstanding college football game, as did Oregon, and it is regrettable that the outcome of the contest was affected by the officiating."
After the Sooners' practice Monday, Stoops said the apology brought him no satisfaction.
"At least they have reacted to it and tried. Truly there can be no amends to it and it can't be corrected," Stoops said.
The loss was Oklahoma's first of the season and immediately lessens the Sooners' chances of making it to a third BCS title game in four years.
"I've made a million mistakes," Stoops said. "I'll make a million more in each game, and in that game included, I wish there were things I could have done differently or changed. Unlike officials, players and coaches don't have that opportunity. They had an opportunity to get it right and they chose not to. So I find it still absolutely inexcusable and unacceptable."
Two plays were reviewed on Oregon's game-winning drive -- an onside kick that gave the Ducks possession and a pass interference call one play before Oregon's winning touchdown.
Hansen said the onside kick was touched by an Oregon player before it had traveled the required 10 yards, and, therefore, the ball should have been awarded to Oklahoma. The video also shows an Oklahoma player actually recovered the ball, although that aspect of the play was not reviewable under the instant replay rule.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cfootball/285593_pac19.html