Big 12 Admits Officiating Error in BYU's 27-20 Win vs. ASU, 'Replay Was Incorrect in Awarding' TD

The Big 12 admitted BYU was given a touchdown it should not have received in the first quarter of Saturday's 27-20 victory over Arizona State.

"Replay was incorrect in awarding a score," the Big 12 said in a statement, per ESPN's Max Olson. "The correct ruling should have been BYU ball for a third-and-goal from the 2-yard line."

The play in question happened when BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier fumbled on a second-and-goal play from the Arizona State 1-yard line. Cougars running back Sione Moa recovered the loose ball at the 2-yard line and ran it in for the score, but Rule 12-3-3-d-2 states the ball "belongs to the recovering team at the spot of the recovery and any advance is nullified."

Yet officials still gave BYU the touchdown after multiple replay reviews.

Controversial officiating decisions are nothing new for BYU this season.

It benefited from another one in its high-profile win over Notre Dame, as Olson noted the Big 12 said after that game there should have been one second remaining for the Fighting Irish following an incomplete pass in the end zone. 

It also appeared as if BYU may have interfered with the receiver on that final throw, but officials did not throw a flag.

WHAT A SCENE AT BYU 🔥

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The Cougars' 39-31 double-overtime loss to UCF also only went to the additional periods because they blocked a 47-yard field goal attempt on third down near the end of regulation. While UCF would have had another chance at a kick on fourth down when it recovered the loose ball, officials ruled kicker Will Stone's helmet came off and enforced a 10-second runoff.

As for the latest issue, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham knew in the moment the touchdown should not have been allowed and argued as much.

"I was trying to argue that he does have the right to recover it post-whistle, but that's not a clear advancement, which means the ball should be at the three," Dillingham said. "Obviously, that wasn't what happened. It's not the officials' fault. Those officials don't have say in that. That's all back home."

That BYU won by a single touchdown only makes the error more glaring, although it still would have had an excellent chance to score from the 2-yard line on the next play. Even if it didn't, it could have gone for fourth down or kicked a field goal.

Despite the controversy, the Sun Devils overcame a 14-point deficit to tie the game late in the third quarter but gave up a field goal and a touchdown on BYU's next two possessions. The inability to make a key defensive stop in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference.

As a result, the Cougars are still in the middle of the College Football Playoff race with a 7-1 record. However, that mark will be put to the test in their next game against undefeated Utah in a rivalry showdown.