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Officials suspended for Central Michigan-Oklahoma State debacle

By Tim Kaiser

Sep 10, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Jesse Kroll (88) passes the ball to Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Corey Willis (8) during the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Central Michigan won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Jesse Kroll (88) passes the ball to Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Corey Willis (8) during the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Central Michigan won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /
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The referees and instant-replay officials that worked the game on Saturday have been suspended for two weeks for their egregious error that allowed Central Michigan’s miracle upset of Oklahoma State.

The Hail Mary-Lateral will be a part of every great upset and last-second-win highlight reel from now until the end of time. Fans will forever have the image of that play seared into their memories. Central Michigan wide receiver Corey Willis going up to make the catch short of the end zone only to pitch the ball to his teammate, Jesse Kroll, just before he hit the turf.  Kroll then runs almost parallel to the goal line to find a clearer path to the end zone on the other side of the field. He dives for the goal line. Then, pure pandemonium. No. 22 Oklahoma State fell to Central Michigan 30-27 on one of the greatest plays in college football history.

Because you can never see it too many times, here it is again.

The problem, the play should have never happened.

Oklahoma State was called for intentional grounding on the previous play. The officials ruled that, despite the clock reading all zeros, Central Michigan would get an untimed down from their own 49-yard line.

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The MAC crew of officials was unaware of the exception to the rule that did not allow for an untimed down in this instance. Mike Pereira, Fox’s officiating expert (and somehow the only good one on TV), immediately called out the officials for misapplying the rule.

Despite giving everyone not wearing orange and black on Saturday a fun finish and a great sports memory, the fun police punished our bumbling heroes. Proving once again, no good deed goes unpunished.

The MAC handed down a two-game suspension for their eight officials working the game.

The Big 12 set the same sentence for their two instant-replay officials for not correcting the “egregious error” as allowed by the rules. The Big 12 also banned the pair from working a bowl game this year.

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