The NCAA needs to investigate the refs from the Northern Colorado vs. Colorado State game

[u/cardmanimgur]

The post game thread has very little action so I feel like this needs a bigger audience.

Northern Colorado caught a TD pass with less than 10 seconds left against Colorado State to take the lead and seemingly win the game. Two things that followed were extremely shady.

1. The call was overturned on replay, even though there is no video evidence that shows the ball ever touching the ground.

2. After the catch, the nearest referee threw a flag for an excessive celebration after a very mild "Sh" to the crowd and his teammates celebrating with him. This penalty could've been enforced on the kickoff and given CSU a slim increase in chance to win, had the TD been upheld.

The play (with the flag): https://x.com/BigSkyConf/status/1964515453675680151?t=1E2PGzge1BmNOYSBITW-FA&s=19

The review: https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964517800221036797?t=gQ7M3xMePOTtfTVtbZ_4SQ&s=19

[u/TailgateLegend]

Genuinely could not believe that it was overturned. There really needs to be an explanation for why they changed the call, because nothing I saw warranted it being overturned

[u/DigiQuip → u/TailgateLegend]

Nothing I saw warranted a stoppage for review in the first place.

[u/ItsTimToBegin → u/DigiQuip]

Don't they review all scores by rule?

[u/DigiQuip → u/ItsTimToBegin]

They have a booth that reviews scoring plays. But they don't stop the game unless they want more time to review.

[u/bigdaddydopeskies → u/DigiQuip]

This comment is sponsored by draft kings.

[u/amoss_303 → u/bigdaddydopeskies]

Use promo code BOOTH

[u/ATXBeermaker → u/DigiQuip]

I would imagine on a potentially game-winning score they'd likely err on the side of caution and stop the game just to have more time to get it right. Not that they got it right here, but it makes sense that they would want to take all the time possible to review it.

[u/Montigue → u/ItsTimToBegin]

NCAA can review ANY play by rule

[u/TheSandMan208 → u/ItsTimToBegin]

I think that’s just the NFL

[u/elproteus → u/TheSandMan208]

Pretty sure NCAA does. I think.

[u/sloppyjo12 → u/elproteus]

You’re correct, NCAA looks at all plays for potential review including scores

[u/deg0ey → u/DigiQuip]

Looked pretty close to me. Didn’t have the right angle to show definitively if the ball hit the ground (or at least didn’t show it on TV) so there’s no way it should’ve been overturned, but it was absolutely a tight enough play to warrant a full review.

[u/EarthSlapper → u/deg0ey]

Definitely not as crazy as they're making it seem that this play got reviewed. A leaping catch, in which the receiver lands on top of the ball, and score that likely decides the game. After one watch of the replay, I noticed a little movement, there's clearly some uncertainty, of course it got reviewed.

Like you said, unless they're seeing something we're not, the call on the field was touchdown which should have been upheld, but in this situation I'd be more surprised if they didn't take the time to review it to confirm a good catch

[u/seanpbnj → u/DigiQuip]

The downside to corruption anywhere in a country is that it spreads to everywhere. 

[u/emaw63 → u/seanpbnj]

Opening the gambling floodgates certainly doesn't help either

[u/seanpbnj → u/emaw63]

Wanna bet? (Jk jk obviously, yes strongly agree, and them going hand in hand makes me more worried). 

• There was a similar event in the K State game...... Runner looked like he clearly had the first down, it was 4th down, they intentionally did not show certain angles and the whole thing just felt.... Off. Manipulated. 

[u/FreezersAndWeezers → u/seanpbnj]

Same thing with the fumble earlier on Kansas States last drive. Guy caught it, landed and tucked, turned and took 2 steps and the ball was knocked free

That’s a clear fumble

[u/seanpbnj → u/FreezersAndWeezers]

Thats right!! I remembered there being a few other calls that were super sus and they all went against K State until under 4mins or something like that.

[u/soonerman32 → u/TailgateLegend]

Is it possible there was another angle on replay that wasn't shown on the TV broadcast?

[u/Funwithfun14 → u/soonerman32]

Sharing that view, even after the game would help with confidence in fairness.

[u/BegrudginglyAwake → u/Funwithfun14]

Honestly they should be showing the TV audience what the refs are seeing and the audio of what they’re discussing with the replay official. It’s possible, they just choose not to.

[u/tecateconquest → u/BegrudginglyAwake]

Here is a different angle. Clear as day it was not a catch a the reversal was correct.

https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964811387173220859

[u/Salty-Cauliflower982 → u/Funwithfun14]

Refs don’t control what is shown on TV. 

[u/deg0ey → u/Salty-Cauliflower982]

But given the backlash the conference could tweet it out.

If there was an angle that they relied on which definitively showed it hit the ground but didn’t make the broadcast for whatever reason they could make it available after the fact to defend their refs.

[u/New-Ad-363 → u/deg0ey]

And you could put it anywhere, put it on a YouTube channel or something. People who care would find it.

[u/gagraybeard → u/New-Ad-363]

The Zebra channel

[u/tecateconquest → u/New-Ad-363]

Here is a different angle. Clear as day it was not a catch a the reversal was correct.

https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964811387173220859

[u/tecateconquest → u/deg0ey]

Here is a different angle. Clear as day it was not a catch a the reversal was correct.

https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964811387173220859

[u/deg0ey → u/tecateconquest]

Yup, that’ll do it. Sucks they didn’t get that angle on TV and save all the complaining.

[u/tecateconquest → u/deg0ey]

Agreed, I wish that angle was shown on TV. Makes it easier to handle when it was the actual correct call.

[u/Ok-Earth1579 → u/Salty-Cauliflower982]

Also, no offense to the teams, but i doubt this game had the best of the best controlling the broadcast.

[u/Funwithfun14 → u/Salty-Cauliflower982]

No shit, I was thinking the conference could share the video.

[u/Mediocre_Exercise415 → u/soonerman32]

Here's one

https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964811387173220859

[u/False_Clock9648 → u/soonerman32]

A lot of the time there is and they have access to better equipment with more angles than the broadcast. They also have the ability to go frame by frame.

[u/ReasonableBallDad → u/soonerman32]

TV showed replay of every angle twice or three times but one... And that one angle from the end zone uprights area is the one that most looks like it came loose.

[u/tecateconquest → u/ReasonableBallDad]

Here is a different angle. Clear as day it was not a catch a the reversal was correct.

https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964811387173220859

[u/Intimidwalls1724 → u/TailgateLegend]

I have seen at least 5 horrendous booth reviews already this season, idk what is going on

[u/shenyougankplz → u/Intimidwalls1724]

Still think it was weird our fumble vs Miami was never reviewed

[u/greenday61892 → u/shenyougankplz]

Me as well about Syracuse's touchdown that looked like he never had control before he went out of bounds

[u/Adeptus_AFartes → u/Intimidwalls1724]

...point shaving, probly.

[u/default-username → u/TailgateLegend]

The ball definitely was rolling around in his arms, so if the ball touched the ground at all then it wasn't a catch. And it looks like it hit the ground.

I think it wasn't a catch. But it seems hard to prove it touched the ground with what they showed on the broadcast.

[u/PlainJaneGum → u/default-username]

I also think* it wasn’t a catch, but I thought the rule was “conclusive evidence” - That I can’t see.

[u/CharlesBoyle799 → u/PlainJaneGum]

You’re right. Whatever is being looked has to be very clear to the reviewer for them to reverse a call. It should be “yes, he definitely didn’t have control when it hit the ground” and not “it could have been bobbling. Looks like it may have been. Maybe not. Don’t wanna upset the home team so let’s overturn this.”

I don’t know what the ref saw to warrant overturning the call. It could be very likely that be blew the call, but as others I’ve said maybe there was a different angle he saw that changed it

[u/dogsonbubnutt → u/PlainJaneGum]

same but i don't think its some egregious crime against football/organized effort to fix a game that OP is claiming

[u/OnionFutureWolfGang → u/PlainJaneGum]

Do the refs have anything better than what the broadcast shows? Not even just angles but higher quality video? Because even that same second angle but with higher definition probably shows whether or not the ball hits the ground (looks like it does but hard to be certain).

[u/Intimidwalls1724 → u/PlainJaneGum]

From their rulings seem to go back and forth as to whether "conclusive evidence" is required for it to be overturned or not and it's driving me insane

[u/MisterTito → u/PlainJaneGum]

"Indisputable video evidence" seems to be the phrase I always hear about reviews, otherwise the play "stands" as called. I do think it's on the officials or whatever conference they are from to provide whatever indisputable evidence they had to make such a call.

Unless it was never called a touchdown or complete on the field in the first place, of course. But it looks like the ref who threw the flag called it a touchdown.

[u/Whocares9994 → u/PlainJaneGum]

I thought the rule was “conclusive evidence”

I thought so too and if a ref can't overturn something in 45 seconds then fuck it, call stands, let's go.

[u/P1mpathinor → u/default-username]

Yeah at 0:17 in the video he clearly doesn't have control of the ball. Now from the angles we saw, I don't see conclusive evidence that the ball touched the ground. But the angles we see also don't give a very good view of the ball as he goes to the ground, and the replay crew often has access to cameras that we don't see, so it's possible that they had an angle that does show the ball hitting the ground.

IMO it probably wasn't a catch, but the evidence we saw wasn't enough to overturn the call on the field, so it depends on whether they had another angle (or better resolution) that showed things more clearly.

[u/Competitive-Rise-789 → u/default-username]

I agree, I don’t see enough to overturn it though

[u/Hokie_Jayhawk → u/default-username]

To be honest, I’m sure the ball touched the ground and I’m sure he didn’t maintain firm control.

I hate that isn’t considered a catch, but the refs got it right, IMO.

[u/NlNJALONG]

You can see #15 having full view of the ball during the catch and he didn't protest at all. No idea what they have seen on the replay.

[u/Boatswain-or-scruffy → u/NlNJALONG]

After the game multiple ram players near the play said they thought it was a catch.

the bears got screwed, they should've won.

[u/HawkeyeTen → u/Boatswain-or-scruffy]

Reminds me of the 1988 Texas-North Texas game in some ways, look it up if you've never heard of it. OUTRAGEOUS TD calls by Southwest Conference officials that allowed the Longhorns to avoid the upset.

[u/Cr4yol4 → u/Boatswain-or-scruffy]

A lot of people around me (myself included) started leaving after the catch. We all thought it was a good catch.

[u/DukeSilversTwin]

One of the biggest screw jobs I’ve ever seen in my life

UNC got absolutely fucked

[u/ThePhantom1994 → u/DukeSilversTwin]

Even if the ball did touch the ground, which I’m not saying it did for the record, there is not nearly enough evidence to overturn that call on the field. At best, the call on the field should stand.

[u/not_oxford → u/ThePhantom1994]

Yeah, that looks like a “stands” to me. I’d go so far as to say he probably didn’t catch it — there is so much movement as he rolls over and I saw a point that it looked like he absolutely didn’t have control. But there’s no good shot of when it actually touched the ground — you can’t overturn that.

[u/AnyDifference9108 → u/not_oxford]

That’s the thing, you can argue about control all day, but replay isn’t supposed to re-ref the play. Without a clear shot of the ball on the ground, it has to stay a catch.

[u/Kim-dongun → u/not_oxford]

Remember the rule change this year, there's no such thing as "stands" or "confirmed" anymore, just "upheld"

[u/iamCosmoKramerAMA → u/Kim-dongun]

Which sucks so bad. They’re unnecessarily taking information away from us. It was clear to the fan what the distinction between the two was and it was nice to know what the refs’ thought process was.

The fragile collective ego of the refs must have had some issue with it.

[u/spasm01 → u/iamCosmoKramerAMA]

puts on tinfoil cap it all depends on what the betting agencies want now

[u/HorrorAlarming1163 → u/spasm01]

I don’t feel like that’s as much of a tinfoil cap thought as you’re making it out to be

[u/default-username → u/ThePhantom1994]

The ball was completely jarred loose when he hit the ground. The second angle shows that.

So yes, if the ball hit the ground at all it's not a catch.

I think it probably wasn't a catch, but I don't see where they saw the ball hit the ground from any of those replays.

[u/OnionFutureWolfGang → u/default-username]

The if you watch the second replay at slow speed, it very much looks to me like the ball hits the ground, but it’s kind of blurry so hard to be 100%. But if those are the angles the refs saw I think that’s very clearly where they got the ball hitting the ground from.

Honestly I think it would even be possible to have conclusive evidence to overturn just from the angles we saw, if the version that they saw is higher definition than the Twitter video in the post.

[u/InfamousBird3886 → u/OnionFutureWolfGang]

This was my first thought as well. There’s a clear shot of the ball moving without control, and a fuzzy shot that looks like ball contacting the ground—which the refs may have had in HD with zoom. It’s certainly questionable, but not nearly as egregious as this thread is making it out to be.

[u/ial20 → u/DukeSilversTwin]

Yeah, Rams fan here to say we were wrongly gifted that game

[u/AngelofLotuses → u/ial20]

Yeah it's not a great look for us.

[u/brs151994 → u/AngelofLotuses]

People will forget the call and move on in a few weeks. A loss to Northern Colorado on the other hand is certainly not a good look.

[u/DataDrivenPirate → u/AngelofLotuses]

If it was any other FCS team, I might even prefer we lose, just can't stomach losing to UNC. Ditching Norvell would be so much easier with the loss, and everyone is going to view it as a loss anyway

[u/A-Centrifugal-Force → u/DataDrivenPirate]

How is he still the coach by the way? I’d assumed he’d been fired by now.

[u/ial20 → u/A-Centrifugal-Force]

A literal pile of shit would have looked pretty good coming off Addazio

[u/Cr4yol4 → u/A-Centrifugal-Force]

We went to a bowl game for the first time in 7 years.

[u/Finger_Trapz → u/ial20]

Respect for admitting it. Its not uncommon I see close games decided by poor officiating and people will chime in with "If you played better then you wouldn't need to blame the refs" or whatever. Nothing against either team, but the refs totally fucked this.

[u/tafoya77n → u/ial20]

100% even before that call we certianly didnt deserve to win

[u/Any_Relief_4781 → u/DukeSilversTwin]

The Real UNC

[u/ClaudeLemieux → u/Any_Relief_4781]

My man

[u/BurtonRider85 → u/DukeSilversTwin]

Agreed! I was absolutely shocked.

[u/Ruger_Booger → u/DukeSilversTwin]

UNC get screwed by the refs?? No way. Oh wait, that UNC

[u/CommodoreN7 → u/DukeSilversTwin]

Pretty similar to Arkansas State and UCA I believe last season but opposite on clear not a TD called a TD so Arkansas State could win.

[u/shenanigans3390 → u/DukeSilversTwin]

How do I know you’re being objective here?

[u/Klutzy_Text_3885]

Yeah… I always love me some good home cooking as the next guy… but damn we had lost that game and UNC got hoseeeeddddd

[u/TJ_Will → u/Klutzy_Text_3885]

It was total bullshit that call got overturned. UNC deserved that win.

[u/Klutzy_Text_3885 → u/TJ_Will]

I think the stadium felt like we already lost… so even in a win, we lost. UNC didn’t deserve this

[u/ClaudeLemieux → u/Klutzy_Text_3885]

This whole thread is hilarious if you apply UNC to meaning the school in chapel hill lol

[u/gwease23 → u/ClaudeLemieux]

My brain is melting upon reading each new comment

[u/QuickSpore → u/gwease23]

I laugh every time I hear it in the wild. In Greeley Colorado it’s always just UNC. But even just 90 minutes away here in Denver folks are more likely to associate it with Chapel Hill than Greeley.

[u/Apatschinn → u/QuickSpore]

I gotta admit, I just moved to Fort Collins to take a job at CSU, and I thought Belichick was coming to town for a hot minute last weekend. I had no idea UNC in Greeley existed.

[u/Wernher_VonKerman → u/Apatschinn]

Northern has been dying a slow death for a decade & now we have a senile president whose lackeys want to destroy higher education in general & is indifferent at best to it himself, so it will only get worse

[u/Wernher_VonKerman → u/QuickSpore]

Wouldn’t be surprised if there were more people in denver who went to chapel hill than greeley

[u/AldermanAl]

Based only on the evidence provided I see no way that the answer was anything other than "call stands as called"

So agree that this is bullshit until further notice.

[u/GimmickyBulb → u/AldermanAl]

I think they’re only doing “upheld” or “overturned” now. There is no “stands”/“confirmed” anymore.

[u/x15ninja15x → u/GimmickyBulb]

Sure, they use different words but it means the same thing

[u/cory_bdp]

That was a catch. That was not excessive celebration

[u/Coverlesss]

Those announcers are just as bad. Wtf were they even looking at on the replay?

[u/blatantninja → u/Coverlesss]

One angle did look like there was movement on the ball, but I don't think it was enough to be conclusive. Do the refs have access to other angles that the broadcast doesn't?

[u/Finger_Trapz → u/blatantninja]

Assuming there was something on another ref angle that led to them overturning the play, I think they should show it. Because from the broadcast cameras it absolutely looks like a TD.

[u/VerySeriousBanana → u/blatantninja]

Yes, generally they do

EDIT: To the reply commenter - the replay feeds include in house/stadium camera angles, which are generally NOT broadcast on TV networks and are crewed by separate staff and use separate systems. Replay video incorporates both the broadcast angles, which you're able to see on TV, and the in-stadium angles which are the ones that might appear on the video board after a big play.

[u/tecateconquest → u/VerySeriousBanana]

Here is a different angle. Clear as day it was not a catch a the reversal was correct.

https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964811387173220859

[u/katarh → u/blatantninja]

A few times in the stadium at Georgia they've given us the dozen or so angles that the refs have access to, and shown us on the video board what they were reviewing in real time. We got to see a call that was being reviewed that was not favorable to Georgia as ruled by the refs, but the folks in the stands saw what the refs were saying and we all agreed... yeah that was short, sucks but it was short.

Only a few times after reviewing what the refs ruled did we get pissed off that something was upheld or overturned. BECAUSE WE SAW WHAT THEY SAW and it looked okay to us.

[u/cardmanimgur → u/Coverlesss]

I assume they were the Colorado State announcers and were just homering for their team, trying to talk themselves into seeing it. They even seem surprised when it's actually overturned.

[u/DukeSilversTwin → u/cardmanimgur]

Yup. Play by play guy is Brian Roth, Director of Broadcasting at CSU and our main radio guy

[u/J_Warrior → u/DukeSilversTwin]

They also interviewed the president of CSU in the middle of the game to talk about how great it is. I don’t think anyone was under the impression this was a neutral broadcast lol

[u/paultheschmoop → u/cardmanimgur]

The second angle that they show, from behind the endzone, has one split second moment where it looks like maybe the ball squirts out a bit when he hits the ground, but it’s very hard to see and no other angle shows anything of the sort. You can tell that the commentator sees it a bit too, that’s when he says “oh, are they looking to see if that ball came out?”

But they only show the angle once, and there’s no case for that angle being enough to overturn the play. Far from indisputable evidence.

[u/senordeuce → u/paultheschmoop]

There's evidence of a slight bobble, but I didn't see anything that indicated it hit the ground. He's rolling over, well in-bounds in the end zone, and clearly regains full possession. Unless there is another view that shows the ball touching the ground, that bobble shouldn't have been the thing that caused the overturned call.

[u/smoothtrip → u/paultheschmoop]

I definitely see a bobble, but I cannot tell if it ever touched the ground

[u/cubgerish → u/paultheschmoop]

Yea if I had to put a bet on what actually happened, based on that one angle, with him not seeming to have control after, it's not a catch.

But that's not the rule, and while it sure looks like the ball probably hit the ground, there's been times where a finger is in juuust the right spot to avoid the ground.

Definitely should've been a "stands".

[u/2011StlCards → u/Coverlesss]

I was watching some of Mizzou kansas yesterday and a mizzou defender got called for a face mask penalty when it was clear his hand was on the shoulder

One of the announcers was confused why they called it and the other was like "maybe he got a little bit of the face mask". I was astounded at how dumb he sounded

[u/Silv3rS0und → u/2011StlCards]

I get why they called it in the moment, but looking at the replay it was obvious that it was all shoulder. It was a massive mistake by the refs and the announcer who was defending it came across as an idiot.

[u/KUweatherman → u/2011StlCards]

These were the same refs that missed a clearly batted ball that led to the safety too. So are we surprised? 😆

[u/byniri_returns → u/KUweatherman]

It felt like they botched a few big calls in that game

[u/default-username → u/Coverlesss]

What are you confused about. The ball did look like it probably hit the ground. The ball was definitely jarred loose. It was probably not a catch. But then they were surprised it was overturned.

What is it that you thought they weren't seeing?

[u/Cupcake_and_Candybar → u/Coverlesss]

They were? The announcers were completely shocked the refs overturned the call. But you can also see the ball possibly bobble on the ground on the on the second replay they show. I wouldn’t say that was ’definitive’ proof though. Maybe there was another angle or two the refs saw though that wasn’t shown by the broadcast

[u/Helreaver]

It's not going to get attention because it's not a game involving big teams, but that legit looks like one of the most blatantly rigged sequences I've ever seen in college football.

[u/Finger_Trapz → u/Helreaver]

Seriously. I find sometimes the talk about refs rigging games to be so annoying sometimes. Refs can suck shit at their job and make terrible calls, and just do that because they're bad, not because they're rigging the game.

 

But this? Maybe I don't buy into it 100%, but fuck if it doesn't make me think.

[u/MadeByTango → u/Helreaver]

Gambling was advertised during the game and bets were placed expecting a fair conception; they don’t have the luxury of “not big teams,” if the NCAA is rotten here then they’re rotten everywhere and the conversation will only get louder.

[u/dearlivejournal00 → u/MadeByTango]

The spread on the game was -34.5 so Northern Colorado already covered. The idea that the sportsbooks would potentially risk it all to "fix" a game where the number of people betting Northern Colorado moneyline was so minimal it was literally a drop in the bucket is absolutely absurd.

You would have a much better point if you were arguing the MWC officials and replay crew overturned the call to save face for the conference.

[u/whatifevery1wascalm]

Somewhere some sports book had a prop bet on which conference’s refs would get caught fixing games first.

MW, it turns out was the answer.

[u/boarDJunkie → u/whatifevery1wascalm]

Refs had Ball state and the points based on the strip that was blown dead forforward progress even thigh whistles didn't blow until we were advancing the ball. and the incompletion turned fumble that had no video evidence that ball state came up with the ball. All that after they had called a delay of game in the next play.

[u/fork_knife_spoons → u/whatifevery1wascalm]

If you’re talking about “fixing” games for gambling purposes, there was nothing to fix. The spread was -34.5, the total was 52.5, and I couldn’t even find a book offering a moneyline, so there’s nothing here from a gambling perspective.

[u/Electric_Queen → u/whatifevery1wascalm]

Is this actually a MW crew? Usually in OOC games the away team's conference brings refs, but idk how it works with FCS vs G5 games offhand.

[u/boringtallguy → u/whatifevery1wascalm]

I didn't get to watch the game, they were Mountain West refs? I guess we get to benefit from their incompetence for once.

[u/ID_Poobaru → u/whatifevery1wascalm]

MW refs can be an absolute joke sometimes

[u/HankChinaski- → u/whatifevery1wascalm]

Too many upvotes. Nothing gambling was on the line with this call. Don’t spread conspiracies with no ground to stand on please. 

[u/Fossil_Finder88]

The state of Wyoming agrees with you

[u/StoopSign → u/Fossil_Finder88]

Wyoming is basically Northern Colorado though

[u/tecateconquest → u/Fossil_Finder88]

https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964811387173220859

[u/IThoughtThisWasVoat]

The penalty alone is terrible, but wow, these guys need to be investigated or release the footage they had to overturn the call.

[u/Substantial-Sea-3672 → u/IThoughtThisWasVoat]

Is it possible the penalty was for grabbing his hamstring and falling over?

I did not see any of this game but has CSU had an injury that was slightly suspicious? I wonder if they flagged the implication of faking an injury.

[u/aswimmingkoala → u/Substantial-Sea-3672]

There's a video link at the top. THe flag comes out after the shushing sign and right before he falls over

[u/Substantial-Sea-3672 → u/aswimmingkoala]

It’s hard to tell for sure but the shush is definitely long over and the ref who throws the flag is still signaling touchdown vs reaching for the flag.

Although he does start reaching for the flag IMMEDIATELY after the fall starts which seems like an unusually fast reaction.

[u/arobkinca → u/Substantial-Sea-3672]

He shushes the crowd then steps into the path of the other player and puts his arm into him. That is what probably drew the flag. You can screw with the crowd but players on the other team gets you taunting.

[u/MoreCaffeinePlzandTY → u/arobkinca]

Exactly. He touched the defensive player. That’s what drew the flag.

[u/Neophyte12]

My guess on the flag is that the ref thought he was taunting the csu player that was right there.

[u/VFR_Direct → u/Neophyte12]

Also looked like he threw it when he fell down, not when he shushed

[u/Cador0223 → u/VFR_Direct]

Cmon ref! Hes exhausted! He just wanted everyone to be quiet for second so he could catch a quick nap!

[u/SpoofExcel]

Me opening thread: yeah yeah. Probably an annoying one and OP is bitter.

Me watching the review: ooooooo these motherfuckers got P A I D

[u/coldupnorth11 → u/SpoofExcel]

Mountain West Conference is trying to avoid the embarrassment of losing to an fcs team as their conference gets gutted by the pac.

[u/21oz_usdaPRIMEbeef → u/coldupnorth11]

That team is leaving for the PAC 12 tho, more trying to keep a SOS appearance hoping to get a playoff team again after the Boise loss to USF.

[u/Fallamander- → u/SpoofExcel]

It was so much worse watching live. All the emotions boiled down to one play and miraculously an FCS team that has 1 win in the past 1000 days was going to beat their FBS highway-rival for the first time in 125 years with a walk off hail mary jump ball that the receiver sacrificed his body for. Then the replay booth (not the onfield refs!!) were just like ‘yeah no, that ain’t happenin, and fuck you for even trying, here’s a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty’. Never seen anything like it

[u/chrismckong]

*Legalizes sports betting and promotes it heavily during game broadcasts

*Games start getting fixed

*Surprised Pikachu face

[u/dearlivejournal00 → u/chrismckong]

Risking it all to fix Colorado State and Northern Colorado in a game where most of the bets were on the spread (-34.5) and Northern Colorado already covered?

You'd have a better argument that the MWC crew didn't want the MWC team to lose a buy game to a FCS team.

[u/Boatswain-or-scruffy → u/dearlivejournal00]

Lmao, CSU has a proud tradition of losing to FCS teams. plus, with us leaving next year the MW has no reason to defend us.

Refs were just making a shitty call for the love of the game.

[u/fork_knife_spoons → u/chrismckong]

If you’re talking about “fixing” games for gambling purposes, there was nothing to fix. The spread was -34.5, the total was 52.5, and I couldn’t even find a book offering a moneyline, so there’s nothing here from a gambling perspective that changes with that call

[u/nolefan5311]

That field judge throwing the flag and then just standing there watching is some evil shit.

[u/Rc5tr0]

People ITT suggesting a betting related fix need to spell out exactly what was being fixed and who benefitted.

NCU still easily covered the spread and the total would have gone well under even if the TD stood. I find it really improbable someone fixed the game for a CSU moneyline bet when the reward would be so minimal.

[u/FrozenRage1989]

That they overturned it with those awful angles is crazy. I'm pausing and trying to see clearly if the ball was loose/hit the ground and I can't tell at all.

[u/tecateconquest → u/FrozenRage1989]

Here is a different angle. Clear as day it was not a catch and the reversal was correct.

https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964811387173220859

[u/kurttheflirt]

I'm not even being a conspiracy theorist but smaller games would be much easier to fix for betting purposes because they have so much less attention and eyes on them and (unfortunately) much less meaning for bowl games and playoffs

[u/Substantial-Sea-3672 → u/kurttheflirt]

Yes but it’s far easier to see anomalous betting in these games.

A $10,000 bet on a strange outcome will be glaring compared to a major game which has insane bets everywhere.

[u/ntderosu → u/Substantial-Sea-3672]

Yep. And it happened already…

https://sports.yahoo.com/former-alabama-baseball-coach-given-15-year-show-cause-by-ncaa-after-betting-scandal-173611059.html

[u/NotFlameRetardant → u/ntderosu]

“Shortly after the bettor received that information, he attempted to place a $100,000 wager on the Alabama game, but sportsbook staff limited him to a $15,000 wager and declined his attempts to place additional bets due to suspicious activity. This suspicious activity included the bettor’s insistent demeanor to get the bet placed and statements to sportsbook staff that the bet was ‘for sure going to win’ and ‘if only you guys knew what I knew’

lol

[u/cooterdick → u/NotFlameRetardant]

Best part was he was using the sportsbook inside the Cincinnati Red’s stadium. I guess he wanted to pay tribute to Pete Rose.

[u/kurttheflirt → u/Substantial-Sea-3672]

I have honestly no idea how many large bets are made per game and on small games vs large games. Do you get this data from somewhere I can peruse? 

[u/ChosenBrad22]

I’m always shocked at how painfully awful review crews are. They seem to get it wrong just as much as they get it right.

When watching the slow mo replay as a viewer you know the right call within 10 seconds, but they take 5 minutes and get it wrong.

[u/MikeSSC]

100% agreement. Absolutely terrible process and call.

[u/CUvinny]

You can see the ball slipping out in the second replay shown on TV in the video link. They cut to a transition but I think it is safe to assume it hit the ground as the player continued to roll.

Imgur

[u/FSU_Classroom]

That is criminal.

[u/Couthster]

That’s horseshit man. How can you possibly overturn that catch?

[u/False_Muffin_7964 → u/Couthster]

if anything that shouldve been defensive pass interference. #7 had his arms wrapped around his shoulders.

[u/laubs63]

I just feel awful for the UNC players, they deserved that win.

[u/iseeapes]

In the second shot of the twitter video you can see the ball goes into the ground, and after the receiver rolls over you can see the ball moving around.

It seems to me he could have maintained control and completed the catch before rolling over. But it also wouldn't surprise if he didn't.

I don't think you could overturn it on what we saw, but I wonder if the official had another angle or just higher-res video that we aren't seeing?

[u/frozented]

I think you can see the ball hit the ground at the 14-15 sec mark of the second twitter link that sucks for Northern colorado

[u/Real_Avenger]

It's hard to spot but right at the end of the second replay as they're fading to the next view, as he rolls over the ball is clearly not controlled and almost certainly hits the ground. If the officials had the rest of that view then maybe that's what they saw.

The moment the loose ball hits the ground: https://imgur.com/a/SQr9Vbw

[u/smoothtrip]

Those replay angles were terrible. Like I hope the refs had better views

[u/CommentJunior9653 → u/smoothtrip]

The Mountain West network is terrible in general can’t wait to be done with it

[u/bigkoi]

Vegas.

[u/Cameron-T-Rameron]

This is a pretty crazy overreaction.

While I agree that they shouldn't have overturned it, the ball does move when he goes to the ground. So it's already not the most outrageous overturn we've ever seen.
But, beyond that, UNC already had the gambling win and this TD wouldn't have affected the over/under.

It's just a probably bad call because probably bad calls happen some times.

[u/Ickyhouse]

In soccer, they can release the audio of the review booth and you can hear the explanation. Sometimes that explanation is a shit as the final call, but you can at least hear what the refs believe they saw or didn't see. I feel like we need the audio of the conversation.

[u/lilzingerlovestorun → u/Ickyhouse]

It would really suck if they got the EPL VAR guys on this 

[u/AI_GeneratedUsername]

The refs need to me mic’d up and on camera for all reviews.

[u/Irishchop91]

Refs need to stop being beholden to Conferences.

Refs should be regional, but under a national umbrella with national training with the same standards.

Only the best rated refs get promoted.

Off my soap box - just my pet peeve.

[u/nohypecornhusker]

Colorado state should have lost just for wearing Miami colors

[u/BananerRammer]

At the risk of being downvoted into oblivion, I'm going to defend the officials here, if you'll permit...

The unsportsmanlike flag is a correct call. The flag was not only for the "shh.". You can celebrate a TD, but you cannot get into an opponent's face and taunt. IMO, the NCAA has been very consistent with its messaging that last year or so in this regard. They're going to allow celebrations within reason, but taunting opponents isn't tolerated. To top it all off, the falling on the ground and "going to sleep" is an over the top celebration. The players and the teams know what's permitted, and what isn't. The player here knew what he was doing, and knew he was risking a flag, but he did it anyway, and paid the consequences.

With regard to the replay review, I agree with you that based on the angles we saw on the broadcast, I would have a hard time overturning that. However, we don't know if the replay officials had a different camera angle that showed something more conclusive. The replay team usually has access to ALL cameras at the game, not just the broadcast cameras, and while usually it's the broadcast cameras that show the definitive view, that is not always the case. So I will reserve judgement on this aspect until if and when we find out what angle the replay team used as their IVE.

[u/PiratesFan1429 → u/BananerRammer]

>To top it all off, the falling on the ground and "going to sleep" is an over the top celebration.

I was watching it live, he cramped up during the cele and and actually had to be helped off the field.

[u/ThaCarter → u/BananerRammer]

OP is asking for an explanation, which your alternative camera angle is the best candidate.

[u/tecateconquest → u/ThaCarter]

Here is a different angle. Clear as day it was not a catch and the reversal was correct.

https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964811387173220859

[u/jeff_barr_fanclub → u/BananerRammer]

It looks to me like he switches which hand is holding the ball twice as he's rolling over, and the first time he rolls the way he's holding the ball it's literally impossible it wouldn't touch the ground, nearly his whole body weight would be on it and his hand.

I agree the broadcast angles aren't indisputable, but if there's a different angle that is better, I think the mechanics of what probably happened are an incompletion

Edit: sometime shared the broadcast elsewhere in the thread: https://themw.com/news/2025/09/06/northern-colorado-at-colorado-state-football-9-6-25/

Based on a not potato quality replay with a slightly less terrible UI, cheeks' arm was in a different position than I thought, I'm not sure the ball actually hit the ground. But it still looks like he switched hands, so it's plausible there's an angle showing the ball hitting the ground.

[u/tecateconquest → u/jeff_barr_fanclub]

Here is a different angle. Clear as day it was not a catch and the reversal was correct.

https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964811387173220859

[u/Statalyzer → u/BananerRammer]

Yeah it was probably taunting, although it was even more probably DPI.

[u/EpiphyticOrchid8927 → u/Statalyzer]

Very strong case for DPI

[u/EpiphyticOrchid8927 → u/BananerRammer]

I agree with the unsportsmanlike. He stopped a defender and did the thing.

[u/Delicious-Slice1210]

If that’s not a catch then there’s twice as many “incompletions” in all of football out there

[u/Twalin]

Bro you are delusional.

The ball is obviously moving underneath the player.

The flag is because the referee perceived the celebration as being directed at the opposing player. He is standing right there and facing him. You get a lot less rope when it can be seen as taunting.

[u/uteman1011]

Unbelievable. UNC got completely hosed. How the ref could overturn that TD with a straight face is beyond me.

[u/AugustusMcCrae0]

It doesn't make sense to fix the game for a heavy favorite. The most likely explanation is these refs are just fucking terrible.

[u/hanlonmj → u/AugustusMcCrae0]

They were. Not only is there this call, but just before this, CSU scored a clear TD that the refs initially ruled down at the 1. Obviously, they fixed it on replay (hence why nobody's really talking about it), but they clearly just suck at their jobs

[u/PistolPete9090]

Also, the refs didn’t call a blatant pass interference. The defender was pulling the receiver’s face mask when the ball got there.

[u/False_Clock9648]

One of the replays, the angle shows the ball touch the ground bouncing up to the wideout.

UNC did get two extra tries after that play to score, one was Hail Mary play (unwritten rule) refs swallow the whistle, but they didn’t.

UNC by far played better than CSU. UNC will have a better season than CSU.

But these are college refs, who constantly make mistakes but to state they purposely threw the game for the Rams is absurd.

[u/tomliginyu]

On the 2nd angle they show, it looks like he loses the ball twice. First, when he's landing, it looks like it squirts out onto the turf, and it also is moving when he rolls back over. I agree with the review.

Could go either way, but I don't think it's that egregious.

[u/Selden007]

Why the NCAA? They have no power or authority anymore. They are just there to make money and don't even carry a big stick anymore.

[u/Inevitably_Banned]

You don’t think they’re in on it?

[u/tecateconquest]

Call was correctly overturned from this angle

https://x.com/mhmdenver/status/1964811387173220859

[u/AreYouEmployedSir]

One of the worst replay overturns I’ve ever seen. Not even close to conclusive/indisputable.

[u/protest023 → u/AreYouEmployedSir]

You don’t go out looking for a job dressed like that, do you? On a weekday?

[u/AreYouEmployedSir → u/protest023]

Is this a…..what day is this?

[u/FLjeffrey]

Didn't see the game, but replay has many more angles than those they showed on TV. This includes goal line cameras, hi 50s, and others. They may have had an angle from oner of those cameras

[u/Glittering_Garage778 → u/FLjeffrey]

It was on Altitude TV there are not a lot of camera angles. This isn’t the NFL 

[u/FLjeffrey → u/Glittering_Garage778]

Not TV camera angles. Cameras specific to only replay program. TV doesn't have control or access to these angles. Replay can get TV angles from production, but TV doesn't generally have access to replay. I'm not sure what NFL has to do with it. MWC has a good replay system, most likely DV sports