The referees calling Friday night’s game between the Colorado State Rams and Nevada Wolfpack have been making some pretty brutal calls (and non-calls), but nothing will compare to the truly mind-blogging first-down call they made in the second quarter.
Winless Colorado State led the Wolfpack 14-0 late in the second quarter and had Nevada pinned back pretty deep on their end of the field. On 3rd and five, a Rams stop would mean a punt from the endzone and great field position to work with as they attempt to extend their lead. Sure enough, they do stop Nevada’s running back well short of the first down line. However, despite the fact that the Wolfpack runner stopped advancing at least a full yard short of the first-down marker, he was awarded the first down.
This is the worst first-down ruling I've seen in my life. pic.twitter.com/4XsEwtJiwk
— Matt Clapp (@Matt2Clapp) October 8, 2022
Not only did this keep Nevada’s drive alive unfairly but they converted it into a touchdown, cutting Colorado State’s lead in half.
If Nevada ends up winning this game by a handful of points, there’s going to be a lot of finger-pointing at this botched call. Regardless, a lot of college football folks want to know what the refs were seeing to award the first down on this play.
i was completely confused by this and still am https://t.co/2yI2b17HLC
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) October 8, 2022
I keep watching the ref in bottom of screen call the spot 2 yards off. Then he called the personal foul later in drive and missed another spot earlier. Mistakes happen but this spot below can’t be explained unless he has a financial interest pic.twitter.com/bkdd11yZ3S
— Stuckey (@Stuckey2) October 8, 2022
In what world is this a first down?! pic.twitter.com/pxA5mClqz4
— Playmaker Betting (@playmakerbet) October 8, 2022
Nevada cashed in a 17 play 99 yard touchdown drive with a litttttttllleeee help from a slightly generous first down spot. https://t.co/d6vLeu2eAu
— 🇸🇲 Sickos Committee 🇸🇲 (@SickosCommittee) October 8, 2022
As mentioned above, the refs in this game are going to need to explain what they’re doing because the bad calls and no-calls in obvious penalty situations are just egregious.
How is there not a flag here? Just eyerolling stuff all night. pic.twitter.com/1nDnSUEtUX
— Matt Clapp (@Matt2Clapp) October 8, 2022
Still, it doesn’t negate the beauty that was one of Colorado State’s touchdowns, an intercepted pitch by a defensive lineman who then rumbled into the endzone.
OH MY THE NEVADA RB TRIED TO PITCH TO THE QB BUT THE COLORADO STATE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN CATCHES IN THE AIR AND TAKES IT FOR A TOUCHDOWN!!! YES HAHAHA YES!!!https://t.co/YWwJgU2MHD
— 🇸🇲 Sickos Committee 🇸🇲 (@SickosCommittee) October 8, 2022
Weird game, weird refs.
