Week 2 of the college football season delivered plenty of drama, but one of the biggest storylines came off the field.
Conference takes quick action
The Big 12 Conference announced Tuesday that it has pulled the officiating crew from its next assignment after a botched call in the Kansas Jayhawks/Missouri Tigers rivalry game.
The controversy unfolded after Missouri scored a safety. By rule, Kansas was required to attempt a free kick via either a place kick or a drop kick. Instead, officials allowed the Jayhawks to punt the ball away, something clearly prohibited under NCAA Rule 2, Section 16, Article 6.
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Fallout from the mistake
Big 12 Chief Football and Competition Officer Scott Draper admitted the crew failed to meet the league’s standards. “We believe we have one of the best officiating programs in college football. When the Conference’s high standard for officiating is not met, the Big 12 will take action,” Draper said in a statement.
The crew, led by referee Mike McCabe, has been removed from its upcoming game scheduled for September 12. The league will move forward with alternate crews for its next slate, which includes Colorado vs. Houston and Kansas State vs. Arizona.
Spotlight shifts to the field
The error overshadowed an otherwise entertaining game in which Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula outdueled Kansas’ Jalon Daniels in a 42-31 Tigers win. Kansas entered the matchup unbeaten after two blowout victories but left with both its first loss of the season and a headline-grabbing officiating controversy.
More NCAA Football News:
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- Sunshine state clash: South Florida looks to spring upset against Gators
- Road test in Durham: can Illinois shake its non-conference curse at Duke?
- Cy-Hawk Showdown: Can Iowa State Finally Break Its Home Curse?
- LSU snaps drought, clamps Clemson as defense flips the script