Video: Jim Mora Rips 'Horses--t' Call by Refs After UConn's Loss to Wake Forest

UConn head football coach Jim Mora Jr. blasted officials Saturday for a non-call against Wake Forest's defense on the Huskies' final offensive series of a 23-20 home loss to the Demon Deacons.

Speaking to reporters after the game (h/t John Brice of FootballScoop.com), Mora took issue with the officials not calling defensive holding or pass interference on a pass from quarterback Nick Evers to wide receiver Jasaiah Gathings on UConn's final offensive play of the contest (beginning at the 1:18 mark of video):

"I'm proud of them for fighting back. We've got to make sure we put ourselves in a position where it doesn't come down to one play where an ACC [officiating] team makes a horses--t call against an Independent. And that's up to us to play better at the start of the game so it doesn't come down to that call, which was [defensive] holding and PI. And that's what I told them. And we'll come back, and we'll fight. It's on us to play better earlier, but it would sure be nice if it was a level playing field."

After Evers fourth-down pass to Gathings was incomplete and no call was made, Wake Forest was able to kneel on the ball and end the game, improving its record to 3-4, while the Huskies fell to 4-3.

After falling behind 20-6 early in the second half, the Huskies mounted a comeback, as a touchdown pass from Evers to Gathings shrunk the deficit to seven. Wake went back up by 10 with a field goal before UConn got within three on an Evers touchdown pass to Louis Hansen with 2:27 remaining in the game.

Connecticut's defense forced a quick three-and-out on the next series, and the offense got the ball back with 2:02 on the clock.

UConn got close to midfield, but on the decisive play of the game, a 4th-and-8 pass from Evers to Gathings was incomplete.

Upon further review, Wake Forest defensive back Jamare Glasker clearly appeared to grab Gathings from behind and push him to the ground before the ball got there, but no call was made, and the game was effectively over:

After his opening statement, Mora took only one question at his postgame presser, and when asked to explain what happened on the no-call, he said: "Here's your explanation: ACC versus Independent. There's your explanation. It's pretty f--king simple."

Wake Forest is an ACC team that had an ACC officiating crew calling Saturday's game, whereas UConn is one of only three FBS Independents along with Notre Dame and UMass.

After the Huskies went six straight seasons without a bowl appearance or a .500 or better record, Mora immediately helped turn things around upon his arrival in 2022.

UConn went 6-7 and reached the Myrtle Beach Bowl that season before dropping off to the tune of a 3-9 mark last season.

Mora had the Huskies off to a 4-2 start this season, including a 4-0 record at home, prior to Saturday's loss. While the defeat was a setback, UConn is still trending toward bowl eligibility if it can win at least two more games.

The former Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and UCLA head coach will now be tasked with getting the Huskies refocused and ready for Saturday when they host the 2-5 Rice Owls.