USC’s football team had a chance to build on its 17-13 lead against Arizona on Saturday night. Just before halftime, the Trojans were into Wildcats’ territory and while USC was out of time outs, the Trojans seemingly had more than enough time to complete a pass in bounds, get up to the line while the chains were being set and spike the ball. Only, it didn’t quite work out that way.
Quarterback Caleb Williams completed a pass to Brenden Rice, who was brought down just inside of Arizona’s 10-yard line with five seconds remaining. USC rushed to the line to spike the ball. Only, the clock was restarted. By the time the referee actually set the ball, the clock was at zero. The Trojans briefly protested before trying to snap the ball before the clock ran out. USC was unsuccessful and even if it wasn’t, the plan the Trojans ran didn’t result in a score.
Another week, another clock controversy for USC. pic.twitter.com/xAd7ADSLUQ
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 30, 2022
The arguments were ineffective. The referees did not put any more time on the clock and the first half ended in controversial fashion.
Naturally, USC coach Lincoln Riley was not happy with what transpired.
#USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley was Rightfully Heated at the End of the 1st Half 🤬
Clock started running after 1st down before ball was set by refs
🎥 @On3USC pic.twitter.com/DbsMFbazIM
— Scott Schrader (@Scott_Schrader) October 30, 2022
He was not the only one. Several people in the college football world blasted the Pac-12 referees. Many of those tweets were retweeted by Mike Bohn, USC’s athletic director.
Absolutely bizarre end to the half with USC-Arizona, as the clock continues to run despite the ref not spotting the ball yet. USC should’ve had five seconds to spike the ball, but time had already run out.
Pac-12 refs, man. Pac-12 refs.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) October 30, 2022
Just absolutely baffled at the fact that the refs in Tucson conferred afterwards, knowing the clock had CLEARLY started prior the spot, and yet they threw up their hands and did nothing while Arizona left for the locker room.
Complete, utter incompetence.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) October 30, 2022
#Pac12 end-of-half USC-Arizona: Complete disaster by officials. How can the clock be allowed to start before the ball has been spotted?
Abysmal
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) October 30, 2022
Pac-12 officiating disaster, you say? I never. https://t.co/7drp0Ein4n
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) October 30, 2022
I don't know what was going on with the #Pac12 refs there, but again I think it is incompetence and not bias.
To try and influence a game with officiating you have to be good and #Pac12Refs are not good.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) October 30, 2022
They didn’t stop the clock when Brendan Rice got out of bounds and forced USC to burn a TO…then didn’t even honor the first down stoppage rule
Insane.
— Ry (@JustRyCole) October 30, 2022
Hopefully, the officials will offer some sort of explanation as to what went wrong. Because while even some of the worst decisions can be debated, this one seems impossible to defend.
[Photo Credit: Pac-12 Network]
