‘Replay was incorrect’: Big 12 admits officiating mistake that resulted in touchdown

Sep 19, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; The referee checks the instant reply on Maryland Terrapins touchdown in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn ImagesBYU has found itself in the middle of yet another officiating controversy, and the Big 12 has now admitted that it got the call wrong.The Big 12 acknowledged after Saturday’s game that replay officials incorrectly awarded the No. 8 Cougars a first-quarter touchdown in their 27-20 win over Arizona State. It marks the third straight week that a BYU game has featured questionable officiating.A Pattern of ControversyBYU has been involved in a string of close games with controversial finishes. After the Cougars’ 28-24 win over Notre Dame on Oct. 17, the Big 12 said that one more second should have been put back on the clock, which would have given the Fighting Irish a chance at one final play.The following week, BYU lost 39-31 in double overtime at UCF. That game went to overtime after BYU blocked a 47-yard field goal attempt on third down.UCF kicker Will Stone recovered the ball and would have had a chance to try another game-winning kick. But officials ruled that Stone’s helmet came off during the play, triggering a 10-second runoff that ended regulation.‘Replay Was Incorrect’On Saturday, the controversy came on BYU’s first possession. On second-and-goal from the 1-yard line, quarterback Bear Bachmeier fumbled while running up the middle, and running back Sione Moa picked up the ball and ran it in for a touchdown, according to ESPN’s Max Olson.Officials initially blew the play dead and ruled that Bachmeier was stopped short. After reviewing it, they determined that he fumbled and that BYU recovered. A second review by the Big 12’s replay operations center in Irving, Texas, then overturned the play to a touchdown.But according to the rulebook, any advance after a fumble recovery in that situation is nullified. The Big 12 admitted the mistake in a statement after the game.“Replay was incorrect in awarding a score,” the Big 12 said. “The correct ruling should have been BYU ball for a third-and-goal from the 2-yard line.”‘That’s All Back Home’Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham argued with officials at the time, and he voiced his frustration after the loss.“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 3,” Dillingham said, via ESPN.Dillingham made it clear that he didn’t blame the officials on the field.“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,” Dillingham said.BYU would have still had a chance to score from the 2-yard line. But in a seven-point game, Arizona State fans will surely be wondering what could have been.The post ‘Replay was incorrect’: Big 12 admits officiating mistake that resulted in touchdown appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.