Big 12 Says BYU Touchdown Against Arizona State Was Incorrect

The Big 12 said BYU should have had a third-and-goal play from the 2-yard line, rather than a touchdown, after a first-quarter fumble in its 27-20 victory over Arizona State on October 31. The error came after replay officials reviewed the play involving quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back Sione Moa, the conference said on November 1.

Bachmeier lost the ball near the 1-yard line while attempting a quarterback sneak. Moa recovered it at the 2 and ran into the end zone. Under the rule cited by the conference, when a runner has lost possession, the recovering team gets the ball where it was recovered, and any further advance does not count.

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham argued during the game that the ruling was wrong. Afterward, he said he had been trying to explain that Moa could recover the ball but could not advance it. Dillingham said the officials on the field were not responsible for the replay decision.

The touchdown came in a game that was tied 17-17 entering the fourth quarter and finished with a seven-point margin. BYU later extended its lead to 10 points before Arizona State scored a late field goal.

The Big 12 had also acknowledged a clock error after BYU’s October 17 win over Notre Dame, saying the Irish should have had one more play. BYU, now 7-1, is scheduled to visit undefeated Utah on November 7 in a matchup for first place in the conference.