ACC Suspends Referees, Replay Officials After Miami vs. Duke

The ACC announced it has suspended the referees and replay officials involved in Miami's 30-27 win over Duke Saturday. In the press release, the conference cited a "series of errors during the final play of the game" for the decision.

The Hurricanes won after a kickoff-return touchdown that channeled "The Play" in Stanford and Cal's 1982 clash:

As dramatic as the touchdown was, Miami committed multiple infractions on the play, none of which were ultimately penalized. The missed flags included a block in the back at the Hurricanes' 16-yard line and a dead-ball penalty for a player leaving the sideline before the play was over, which wouldn't have canceled out the touchdown anyway.

Miami running back Mark Walton also looked to be down before he lateraled the ball to his teammate, which Joe Giglio of the News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina, highlighted:

University of Miami President Julio Frenck released a statement on the win, (via State of the U):

"

As we celebrate Alumni Weekend and Homecoming, we recognize that the Hurricanes football program represents a proud tradition of excellence and spirited competition spanning nine decades of talented and dedicated student-athletes who uphold a rich legacy that is considered a hallmark in intercollegiate athletics.

As one of the newest members of the U family, I was deeply touched by the passionate and hard-won victory of our team against Duke University last Saturday in North Carolina. This is a team that in recent days experienced great adversity. They came together in a united and inspired effort to face these challenges head on. Our student-athletes played their hearts out and won the game fairly with a spectacular play that showed their commitment to winning to the very final seconds.

In the aftermath of the controversy related to the officiating of the game against Duke, I wish to express my disappointment with statements that question the legitimacy of our victory. Let me be clear: Both teams fought hard and at the highest levels of competition, and in the end the University of Miami won.

The extraordinary resilience of our Hurricanes football team is a resounding affirmation of the value of college sports in shaping not just winners but leaders. The more than 400 student-athletes who wear the Orange and Green with distinction bring together our University community and the greater community that supports our teams year after year.

The University of Miami family stands proudly behind these young men and celebrates their hard-earned win.

"

Dan Wolken of USA Today believes the ACC should take extreme measures to rectify the officiating mistakes:

Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said he had "a multitude of coaches" reach out to him after the defeat, adding he hopes it creates a "conversation about reversing outcomes," per David Hale of ESPN.com.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, don't care how they got the win:

The result could have a major impact for the Blue Devils down the line. They fell to 3-1 in the conference, which puts them behind North Carolina and Pittsburgh in the ACC Coastal.

Even if Duke wins out, it might not get a spot in the ACC championship because of the finish to Saturday's game.