Big 12 denies report that OSU received officiating apology
BY JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Wednesday, October 03, 2012
10/03/12 at 6:48 PM
Citing sources, the Oklahoman reported Wednesday that Big 12 coordinator of football officials Walt Anderson “apologized profusely” to Mike Gundy for a botched call that occurred late in Texas’ 41-36 victory over Oklahoma State.
A few hours later, the Big 12 issued this statement via Twitter: “Reports that the Big 12 acknowledged a blown call and issued an apology to Oklahoma State are inaccurate.”
Can Gundy shed some light on the situation?
OSU football publicist Gavin Lang was asked if Gundy wanted to say anything about the report that he had received an apology from Anderson. Lang indicated the coach would not comment.
OSU officials indicated Tuesday there had been dialogue between Gundy and the Big 12, but they did not get into specifics. On Wednesday afternoon, OSU's sports information director Kevin Klintworth posted a Twitter message that said OSU athletic director Mike Mike Holder is unaware of an apology from the league.
It’s all fallout from a controversial play that resulted in Texas’ game-winning touchdown -- a Joe Bergeron 2-yard run -- with 29 seconds remaining.
OSU linebacker Alex Elkins knocked the ball from Bergeron’s grasp. Cowboy safety Daytawion Lowe spotted the ball on the ground amid a pile of bodies, picked up the ball and showed it to an official. But officials on the field had already signalled touchdown and the play was not overturned when it was reviewed in the replay booth.
Fox, which broadcast the game, consulted its officiating expert, Mike Pereira, for post-play interpretation. Because officials had ruled the play touchdown, Pereira said a defender would have needed to recover the ball before a “scrum” in order for the ruling on the field to be reversed in the replay booth.
Gundy was asked about the controversial play during media teleconferences on Sunday and Monday. He suggested during a Big 12 teleconference Monday that the ball did not cross the plane of the goal line before Bergeron fumbled.
“When the official came running in from the side and then raised his arms in the air, I think at that time we were all convinced that the ball wasn’t even in (Bergeron’s) hands when that happened,” Gundy said. “So at what point did somebody confirm that it was a touchdown?”
Gundy then said that he expected to get some sort of explanation from the Big 12 by the middle of this week.
Associated Images:
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy signals touchdown during their game Saturday against Texas. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
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