Big 12 Conference Admits to an Incorrect Replay Ruling in BYU-Arizona State Game

The Big 12 officials are once again under scrutiny for a call in the midst of a game. During BYU's 27-20 win over Arizona State, there was a touchdown by the Cougars in the first quarter that should've been reversed. While the result likely would've been the same regardless of the call, there are still questions about how to fix some of the minor issues with officiating.

The Big 12 released a statement on the error made by the officials:

“At 11:27 in the first period of the Arizona State-BYU game, Big 12 Replay Officials stopped the game to review possession by BYU. The play showed that the runner lost possession of the ball prior to the forward progress spot, and the ball was recovered by another BYU player at the two-yard line and he was awarded a touchdown. Rule 12-3-3-d-2 states, ‘If the replay official rules that the ball was not dead, it belongs to the recovering team at the spot of the recovery and any advance is nullified.'”

This was BYU's first touchdown of the game and gave them a 7-0 start.

After the call on the field, BYU opened up a 17-3 halftime lead. They coasted in the second half and made Arizona State one-dimensional on offense.

The Cougars bounced back following a shocking double-overtime upset at UFC in Orlando last week. Kalani Sitake's team avoided another meltdown and took care of business ahead of the first College Football Playoff rankings next week. BYU is 7-1 with the biggest matchup on the horizon with Utah. The latest edition of the Holy War will carry a ton of national interest with Playoff implications on the line. The Cougars and Utes could have a rematch in the 12-team bracket, according to the latest projections by ESPN. 

BYU's defense set the tone early. The unit registered six sacks and forced a turnover before halftime. That total set BYU’s record for sacks in a single half and gave the program its most sacks in a game since 2020. Arizona State put a stop to that with adjustments at halftime. The Sun Devils scored two touchdowns and kicked a field goal on its four-second half drives, averaging 4.8 yards per play. 

A win like this was just what the Cougars needed right now. Moving on to face Utah, it will be where no mistake can happen. BYU heads to Salt Lake City for the important Holy War matchup with No. 6 Utah on Saturday (Noon ET, ABC or ESPN).