The Huge 12 has fined Utah athletic director Mark Harlan $40,000 after he blasted Huge 12 officers for a controversial defensive holding name within the Utes’ 22-21 loss to rival No. 9 BYU, the league introduced Sunday.
“Mark’s feedback irresponsibly challenged the professionalism of our officers and the integrity of the Huge 12 Convention,” Huge 12 commissioner Brett Yormark mentioned. “There’s a proper manner and a incorrect option to voice issues. Sadly, Mark selected the incorrect manner. Accordingly, this violation warrants a public reprimand and monetary penalty. The Huge 12 Convention prioritizes professionalism, integrity, and equity, and can proceed to take action.”
The decision occurred on what seemed to be a game-clinching fourth-down sack for the Utes with 1:30 to go within the sport.
“This sport completely was stolen from us,” Harlan mentioned after the sport. “We have been enthusiastic about being within the Huge 12, however tonight I am not. We received this sport, another person stole it from us. Very upset, I’ll discuss with the commissioner. This isn’t honest to our staff. I am disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight.”
Harlan apologized for his feedback on Sunday after the Huge 12 levied its advantageous.
“Final night time following our sport towards BYU, I made clear my emotions associated to the sport officiating. Nonetheless, I acknowledge that there are extra applicable instances and avenues to precise these issues, and I settle for the implications of my choice,” Harlan mentioned in an announcement. “My feedback got here after having simply left our staff locker room the place our student-athletes have been hurting and upset. The College of Utah is proud to be a member of the Huge 12 Convention and we look ahead to working with our friends to proceed to boost the league. BYU, Coach Kalani Sitake and their coaches and student-athletes are having a terrific season and we want them the easiest.”
Utah led 22-21 when Junior Tafuna and Karene Reid sacked BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff on a fourth-and-10, however officers flagged Utes defensive again Zemaiah Vaughn for a holding name that gave the Cougars a primary down.
The decision gave BYU a first-and-10 on the 19-yard line. Retzlaff linked on passes of 30 and 12 yards to assist arrange Will Ferrin’s game-winning 44-yard subject aim with three seconds remaining. The win pushed BYU to 9-0 and 6-0 in Huge 12 play.
It was a crushing loss for a Utah staff that got here into the season because the Huge 12 favourite. The Utes had an opportunity to complicate their chief rival’s CFP case and doubtlessly knock them out of the highest 10 with a victory. They’d even have given themselves an opportunity to make a bowl sport heading right into a brutal closing stretch that features No. 20 Colorado and No. 17 Iowa State.
The Utes made a quarterback change, beginning sophomore Brandon Rose. He performed effectively, throwing two touchdowns within the first half. Nonetheless, Utah was outscored 12-0 within the closing half-hour.
The win was important for BYU because the Cougars attempt to make their first Huge 12 Championship Recreation and Faculty Soccer Playoff. Two groups forward of BYU misplaced — No. 3 Georgia and No. 4 Miami.
