While the college football season officially started a couple of weeks ago, it truly got underway Saturday afternoon in Waco, when No. 12 Utah defeated Baylor following a questionable no-call on the game’s final play.
Following a furious comeback where Utah scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the game to take a 20-13 lead, Baylor got the ball back with 17 seconds left at their own 27. After a short gain, Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson dropped back and unloaded a 47-yard pass to Hal Presley, who got all the way to the Utah 22 and went out of bounds with one second left, giving the Bears one last chance.
Robertson then heaved it toward Ketron Jackson in the end zone, and while there seemed to be plenty of contact from Utah’s Miles Battle, the referee kept the flag in his pocket and the Utes moved to 2-0.
#12 Utah hangs on to beat Baylor 20-13 in Waco!
On the game's final play, Utah's Miles Battle appeared to be, well, battling with Baylor WR Ketron Jackson, Jr. Officials, however, made no call either way, and the game concluded. pic.twitter.com/lG3Yu28EIl
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 9, 2023
ESPN analyst and former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III agreed with the no-call, saying, “They did not call pass interference so it’s not pass interference.” While that’s technically correct, it really isn’t how officiating or penalties work.
A pass interference call would have given Baylor one untimed down from the seven-yard line. While we don’t know for sure if they would have scored, it’s unfortunate that they didn’t even get the opportunity.
Social media had plenty to say about the no-call.
“They did not call pass interference so it’s not pass interference.”
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/culine_/status/1700604186675556768
I do enjoy the Utes, but that is as blatant as PI can get. Horrendous miss by the officials. https://t.co/pk0mAtInVj
— Fulton Caster (@FultonCaster) September 9, 2023
How is this not DPI? https://t.co/9nIdYyYJev
— Jake Lebahn (@JakeLebahn) September 9, 2023
LOL, Utah DB mugged the Baylor receiver in the end zone, no PI call — Utes win.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 9, 2023
[Photo Credit: ESPN]
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