Efficient, effective officiating by the Pac-12 crew
This Pac-12 worked an exemplary game. Multiple close calls and crucial judgments, but each was handled efficiently and accurately.
Head line judge Darryl Johnson, specifically, had an outstanding performance. Sometimes as an official, everything comes your way, and tonight, Johnson was in that position. The two-time national championship H stepped up in each instance and should be proud of tonight's game.
Overall, what a great game for the crew to finish their season on. Replay only intervened when necessary. The teams decided the outcome and the officials maintained order, and did what was best for the game.
After review, replay overturned the spot of being short of the line to gain to a first down. The video shows an amazing play by the runner to extend the ball beyond the line to gain while the ball is inbounds before it crosses the sideline.
To be clear, on a play like this the ball is placed at the spot where it is when the player first touches out of bounds, not where it crosses the sideline.
In the past few years, college football bowl referees have done a wonderful job in beginning each bowl game with a classy coin toss. Big 12 referee, Mike Vandervelde keeps that tradition going.
The game is starting to get a little chippy between plays. The officials are doing a good job of getting between players, but it would not be surprising to see a UNS flag come in sooner or later to keep the game under control.
Penn State took a timeout to challenge the ruling on the field of the catch. The Utah receiver has clear control and hits the ground and rolls over still with control so the catch process is over at that point and replay confirms the touchdown.
In the past few years, college football bowl referees have done a wonderful job in beginning each bowl game with a classy coin toss. Big 12 referee, Mike Vandervelde keeps that tradition going.
Mike is an outstanding Referee, and I’ve been singing his praises since he first donned the white hat in the MWC five years ago.
Unfortunately, he introduced Senator Mark Kelly as “Mark Lewis,” which quickly went viral. I feel awful for Mike because, no matter how well he calls the game today, that’s all casual fans will remember. And I hate that for him.
I wish the NFL and these bowls would stop having the Referee introduce dignitaries. They have enough on their mind without having to get a bunch of names and titles correct. Let the PA announcer name the grand marshal and the honrorary captain, and then let the Referee take it from there.
Remember when Gene Steratore botched the name of the WWII vet at the Super Bowl a few years ago?