College football incites passion like no other sport. The sectional rivalries, the long-term powerhouse programs, the upsets, the Heisman, the Playoff, and the various buckets, cups, and trophies that rivals play for, generate excitement like no other sport. In a given weekend, so many games are played that it can be hard to keep track of all the goings-on.
Unfortunately, sometimes it’s also hard for the officials to keep track of what is going on. Last weekend, Oklahoma State lost a game on a play that occurred after the game was over. By rule, the game had ended, but because the officials misapplied the rule, they allowed a play to take place after the clock had struck zero. On that play, Central Michigan scored and “won” the game.
Oklahoma State was gracious in defeat. They shouldn’t have been. They should have protested, but to whom. Nobody is in charge of college football as a whole. Central Michigan had a chance, and still does, to address the situation honorably. They should forfeit the game. They didn’t win it fairly, so they shouldn’t take credit for doing so.
In 1940, something similar happened. Cornell, which was undefeated and ranked second in the country, scored on a fifth down as the game was about to end. http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/156300200/miami-duke-fifth-down-1940-cornell-dartmouth After reviewing game film, Cornell determined that it had scored on a play that shouldn’t have happened. They informed Dartmouth that they were forfeiting the game, changing the final score of the game from 7-3 to 3-0. Cornell’s telegram stated “Cornell relinquishes claims to victory and extends congratulations to Dartmouth.” How refreshing. How unmodern. Do not expect Central Michigan to embrace the sportsmanlike trail blazed by the Big Red.
This situation is different from some other recent officiating foibles that have affected outcomes. For example, Miami scored a winning touchdown against Duke last November on a game-ending play that included eight laterals, a block in the back, and a player being down before he lateraled. The officials made mistakes, but they were all related to discretionary calls, the types of calls that are routinely missed. http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/156168618/acc-referees-suspended-duke-miami
Most blown calls are not on the last play of the game and are not quite so outcome determinative. These missed calls are easier to excuse because the teams affected have time to recover and overcome the mistakes, just like they also have to overcome their own mistakes.
Oklahoma State did not have the opportunity to overcome the officials. And they shouldn’t have had to. The officials misapplied a rule and extended a completed game by one play. That one play should be reversed by someone. Is there anyone involved with the administration of college sports with the authority to do the right thing? Barring that, Central Michigan should call Oklahoma State and forfeit the game. They can keep the elation they felt upon “winning.”
According to the NCAA, its member institutions are committed to the “highest levels of integrity and sportsmanship.” http://www.ncaa.org/about/ncaa-core-values Given this commitment to sportsmanship, Central Michigan should forfeit the win they did not earn. I’m not going to hold my breath and you shouldn’t either. The final score: Central Michigan 1, Integrity and Sportsmanship 0.