Pac-12 refs cause chaos to end first half of USC-Arizona, Lincoln Riley livid
Pac-12 refs are at it again.
The last time USC was on the field, there was controversy surrounding the officiating. Utah was the beneficiary of multiple questionable roughing the passer calls that extended scoring drives in what became a one-point USC loss.
This week, USC was trying to score points before the end of the first half and a 34-yard completion from Caleb Williams to wideout Brenden Rice put it in position to do so as the clock ticked under 10 seconds to play. With the ball at the Arizona 10-yard-line, USC appeared to have six seconds on the clock to try and spike the ball and set up another play.
Instead, the clock started running before the ball was set. An official stood over the ball, keeping USC from snapping it, and then moved the line of scrimmage back.
Williams, pleading with the officials over the running clock, got a snap as time expired. The offensive line and running back Travis Dye appeared to be confused about whether the play was live or not. Williams fired to a receiver downfield but the pass fell incomplete.
The officiating crew got together to discuss the situation as Arizona’s team ran off the field to head to the locker room. They ultimately decided the first half was over. No extra play. No clock adjustment. USC went into the break up 17-13.
USC coach Lincoln Riley was incensed.
Lincoln Riley letting him HAVE it #USC pic.twitter.com/fmFqgZmeci
— Chris Treviño (@ChrisNTrevino) October 30, 2022
He wasn’t alone. Even non-USC and non-Arizona fans were confused by what happened.
The Pac-12 has had plenty of referee disasters but the one to end the half at USC-Arizona now was beyond egregious. There were six seconds on the clock as the official stood over the ball and the clock operator in Tucson ran off the six seconds and refs said it was halftime. Wow!
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) October 30, 2022
Pac-12 refs are undefeated at being incompetent.
The ref hadn't set the ball and the clock was already running. Ridiculous.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) October 30, 2022
Wow. Seems like #USC got screwed out of a few seconds there based on watching that initially and probably cost the Trojans 3 points.
— Antonio Morales (@AntonioCMorales) October 30, 2022
No, but seriously, what the heck just happened?
— Jason Scheer (@jasonscheer) October 30, 2022
They start the clock before the ref even put the ball down for USC to spike it. What an absolutely insane way for the Pac-12 refs to end the half. Lincoln is incensed
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) October 30, 2022
Hahahahah…Pac12 refs are a joke.
— Kat (@duckysavant) October 30, 2022
Pac-12 broadcast… "That's not good" and "That's not what's needed for the #Pac12."#Pac12Refs
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) October 30, 2022
#Pac12refs making their contractually-obligated appearance for this week's USC game, it seems.
— Saturday Out West (@satoutwest) October 30, 2022
That was an absolute atrocity to end the first half. https://t.co/S97IupTI2e
— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) October 30, 2022
What the hell are the Pac-12 refs doing? Chains were not set, clock was running. Woof.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 30, 2022
Absolutely bizarre end to the half with USC-Arizona, as the clock continues to run despite the ref not spotting the ball yet. USC should’ve had five seconds to spike the ball, but time had already run out.
Pac-12 refs, man. Pac-12 refs.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) October 30, 2022
PAC 12 refs back at it again with this bullshit !!
— Su’a (@iammsuzy) October 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/equitybruin/status/1586519629924442112
Chaos on the field. Clock kept running
— Chris Treviño (@ChrisNTrevino) October 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/UtesNRoses/status/1586519466031996928