The Big 12 Conference has admitted that a crucial touchdown in the game between BYU and Arizona State on Saturday was erroneously awarded to BYU. The No. 8-ranked Cougars defeated Arizona State 27-20, but a first-quarter play involving a fumble recovery by BYU running back Sione Moa should have resulted in the ball being spotted at the recovery location, not a touchdown.
According to Big 12 replay rules, when a team recovers a fumble, the ball belongs to the recovering team at the spot of recovery, and any advance by the player is nullified. In this instance, quarterback Bear Bachmeier fumbled the ball at the 1-yard line on second-and-goal, and Moa recovered it at the 2-yard line. However, replay officials incorrectly awarded a touchdown.
"Replay was incorrect in awarding a score," the Big 12 said in a statement, as reported by ESPN.
The decision had a significant impact on the game, which was decided by a seven-point margin. BYU improved its record to 7-1 with the victory, following a double-overtime loss to UCF the previous week.
The score was tied 17-17 entering the fourth quarter. BYU took a 20-17 lead with a field goal with 12:08 remaining. Moa's controversial touchdown run later extended the lead to 27-17 with 2:09 left. Arizona State managed to score a field goal with 57 seconds remaining, but could not overcome the deficit.
This is not the first time this season that BYU has been involved in a controversial officiating call. In their upset victory over then-No. 2 Notre Dame on Oct. 17, the Big 12 later stated that there should have been one second left on the clock after what was ruled the final play. Additionally, a defensive pass interference penalty on that same play was not called.
BYU's next game is a pivotal matchup against undefeated Utah, currently ranked No. 6, for first place in the Big 12.