Pac-12 Refereeing Favoritism Exposed in Controversial USC vs. Arizona Epic

Did some questionable calls in favor of the Trojans help No. 9 USC escape with a triple-overtime win versus the visiting Arizona Wildcats?

In a college football showdown that will be remembered for years to come, the USC Trojans narrowly edged out the Arizona Wildcats 43-41 in Three Overtimes in the Los Angeles Colessium Saturday night. But it was a trio of controversial calls that left fans, players, and coaches alike scratching their heads.

The highly contentious calls against the Wildcats not only had a significant impact on the outcome but also raised questions about the officiating in the Pac-12 conference.

The Touchdown That Wasn’t: Kyron Hudson’s Non-Catch

The first eyebrow-raising moment of the game came when the referees awarded USC a touchdown despite clear evidence to the contrary. USC receiver Kyron Hudson late in the 2nd quarter appeared to never have full control of the ball, and this was glaringly evident upon replay.

It was a play that had fans and analysts shouting at their screens, wondering how such an obvious mistake could be made, only to be further disappointed when after reviewing the play, the refs called it a touchdown. The outcome seemed suspect and further raised the question of how much favor they gave the Trojans in comparison to the Wildcats in this game.

The contentious call seemed to have shifted the momentum in favor of USC and allowed them to stay in the game, potentially changing the overall outcome. Heading into halftime, the Trojans were more confident going into the locker room with two touchdowns under their belt.

The Phantom Face Mask: Helmet Face Plant Misjudged

Another questionable call came in the form of a “Face Mask” penalty, although it can be more accurately described as a helmet face plant. Arizona’s Genesis Smith did not grab a Trojan face mask; The contact was more of a flat-handed push of the helmet.

The call moved the Trojans from the Arizona 25-yard line to their 13-yard line and resulted in announcers and fans puzzled, as it impacted field position and ultimately the outcome of the game.

This decision extended a USC drive easily, allowing the Trojans to inch closer to the goal line as the third-quarter clock timed out in a game where every yard counted. The call had an undeniable impact on the final result as seven plays later Caleb Williams ran in a Touchdown giving the Trojans a bigger lead (28-20 versus 21-20).

A Roughing the Passer Surprise that Ultimately Helped the Trojans Score a Touchdown

The third and perhaps most egregious mistake by the Pac-12 referees was a “Roughing the Passer” call against Arizona Defensive Lineman Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei. Uiagalelei was in the midst of a sack, pressuring USC quarterback Caleb Williams when he made contact just as Williams released the ball. Even the announcers expressed their astonishment at the call.

Steve Beuerlein, a former NFL Quarterback and Servite High School Alumni (cheering on his Arizona fellow alumni Noah Fifita, Teterola McMillan, Jacob Manu, and Keyan Burnett), had a lot to say about this blown call. If anyone should know if the call was legit or not, it’s him. Beuerlein is a college football analyst as well.

One of the broadcasters said, “After seeing that on replay, I don’t think that’s roughing the passer, I think that’s a clean hit!.”

Missed Opportunities and Overtime Misunderstanding

While the controversial calls played a significant role in the game’s narrative, it’s worth noting that Arizona had their chances to secure victory. A missed field goal opportunity with 2:08 left in the 4th quarter haunted the Wildcats, as they could have won the game without the need for overtime.

Furthermore, Arizona Head Coach Jedd Fisch appeared to have some confusion regarding the NCAA overtime rules, potentially impacting the team’s strategy in extra time. Despite these challenges, the Wildcats displayed tremendous resilience and determination throughout the contest.

Questioning the Officiating

The series of questionable calls during the USC vs. Arizona game has left many fans and analysts clamoring for a review of the officiating standards in the Pac-12 Conference. While referees are human and can make mistakes, the impact of these errors on the outcome of a closely contested game cannot be understated.

The game highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in officiating, prompting calls for a thorough review of the calls made by the officiating crew. The integrity of college football relies on fair and accurate officiating, and the USC vs. Arizona game serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of missed calls.

What will the BIG 12 referees be like? What teams get preference? Only time will tell.

In the aftermath of this thrilling, yet controversial, encounter, the focus shifts to how the Pac-12 Conference and NCAA will address these concerns and strive for a higher standard of officiating in future games. The Truth is they will probably do nothing.

That’s said, for both USC and Arizona, it’s a game that will be remembered not just for the final score, but for the calls that left a lasting mark on an unforgettable contest.