Washington Huskies Were Robbed, NCAA and Referees Were Both Wrong

If you saw the Washington-BYU game, you witnessed an awesome game that should have gone to overtime. However, a dumb rule by the NCAA and a referee's dumb decision cost the Huskies the game.

The controversy was due to the celebration that Washington Huskies QB Jake Locker did. Locker drove the Huskies 76 yards in 17 plays in the last three minutes. After scoring a potential game tying touchdown on an impressive run, the QB immediately threw the ball into the air in the excitement of scoring the touchdown.

The referee threw the flag calling an excessive celebration penalty for throwing the ball up into the air. The penalty cost the Huskies 15 yards and led to a blocked extra point.

I think the rule itself is insane. I don't see how throwing the ball into the air should be considered excessive celebration. Especially when the player throws it immediately after scoring.

That is just the emotion of the player scoring manifesting themselves into an almost instinctual action. This was not a premeditated act. There was no Sharpie in Locker's pocket. He didn't go to the cheerleaders, take their pom-poms and kiss them. He didn't start River dancing or golfing. He just threw the ball up in the air.

The NCAA shouldn't police its players like the NFL does when it comes to end zone celebrations. That action Locker did wasn't an attempt to gain attention. He was just happy he scored. That is what the game is about, pure enjoyment.

The referee is also at fault. I know that he is supposed to adhere to NCAA rules and call the game based on the NCAA rules. However, in this instance I think the spirit of the law should be taken into account.

It should have been a no call. A referee is supposed to police the game, but, honestly I don't think anyone could tell me that what Jake Locker did was wrong.

Hopefully, the NCAA will see the ramifications of their over-policing and change the rule. I also wish that referees will also look at end zone celebrations in a less critical light. One of the great aspects of college football is the raw emotion players have. They play the sport because they love it and I don't think they should be penalized for it.