Did refs screw Colorado at end of game vs Hawaii?
By Doug Carey
Did the refs cost Colorado a chance at forcing overtime at the end of the game vs Hawaii?
Unless you were suffering from insomnia late Thursday night, you probably missed the comedy of errors that was Colorado at Hawaii. Actually, you were better off sleeping — the game had the feel of a late-night scrimmage and fittingly ended with a classic referee blunder.
Colorado trailed by eight points in the final moments but was driving toward a potential game-tying TD when Buffaloes QB Seo Liufau completed a pass to Phillip Lindsay, who was tackled at the six-yard line and promptly tossed the ball to a referee with about 10 seconds remaining.
The umpire then received the ball and tried to quickly get the ball back into play by tossing it to the center line judge. This is where things went wrong for the Buffaloes.
Good morning everyone! ICYMI, the controversial Hawaii-Colorado ending http://t.co/ZVxQeccvWh pic.twitter.com/UoPmxdQUT1
— Pacific Talks (@PacificTalks) September 4, 2015
As soon as the ball hit Hawaii linebacker Benetton Fonua and fell to the ground, all was lost for Colorado. Time expired and Hawaii escaped with the 28-20 win.
Our first thought was that the officials could have reset the clock to 10 seconds since it was their mistake and allowed Colorado to have another play. Apparently that’s not the case.
Even though ball wasn’t spotted in last 10 seconds, MWC says Colorado-Hawaii officials "employed appropriate mechanics on final play”
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 4, 2015
Bad luck just seems to follow Colorado, which has lost nine straight games and even had one of their team buses break down on the way home.
Bus one just broke down. Smiling. Things could be worst! Gives me more time to just look at the awesome mountains!! Go Buffs! Pepsi please
— Jim Leavitt (@CoachJimLeavitt) September 4, 2015
It’s only one game, of course, but the Buffaloes appear headed toward another rough season. Even if they did get a raw deal in Honolulu, you’ve got to ask why they’re even in that position against a team picked to finish fifth in the West Division of the Mountain West.
Next: Top 20 Throwback Uniforms of All-Time
More from Saturday Blitz
- Michigan State vs. Maryland: Location, time, prediction, and more
- ACC Power Rankings: Can #4 FSU overthrow Clemson at Death Valley East?
- Most heartwarming social media reactions to Nick Chubb’s injury
- Ranking college football’s top 10 quarterbacks after Week 3
- Things are going to get much darker for the Houston Cougars