The people who said it was a TD were right. Though the SEC has yet to comment.
A third-quarter fumble returned for a touchdown by No. 2 Ohio State in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl should not have been overturned and instead should have been allowed to stand, Big Ten supervisor of officials Bill Carollo tells CBS Sports just days after the College Football Playoff semifinal that sent No. 3 Clemson to the national title game.
In the third quarter of the Tigers' eventual 29-23 win, Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross was ruled to have fumbled after being hit by Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah following a 10-yard catch at the Clemson 30. OSU defensive back Jordan Fuller then returned the loose ball for a touchdown.
However, upon video review, the play was overturned and ruled an incompletion. Veteran SEC video review official Gerald Hodges initiated the booth review.
The officiating decision immediately became one of the most debated in the six-year history of the CFP. It set off a firestorm of debate on television and social media.
"I haven't talked to anybody who thought it was an incomplete pass," said Carollo, who has more than 30 years of officiating experience. "To reverse it, it has to be really obvious."
Carollo said he has spoken with both Ohio State coach Ryan Day and SEC officiating supervisor Steve Shaw about the play. Carollo admitted Day was upset, but, "He's a pro. Very professional."
A highly-rated, on-field veteran SEC crew worked the game. SEC administrators have not commented on the officiating decision itself. It is unknown whether the league will release a statement.
Referee Ken Williamson told a pool reporter after the game that "the ball was becoming loose in his hands and he did not complete the process of the catch."
Carollo said Williamson "misspoke on that. The ball was not moving."
The NCAA rulebook defines a catch as maintaining "control of the ball long enough to enable [a player] to perform an act common to the game … long enough to pitch or hand the ball, advance it, avoid or ward off an opponent."
Ross appears to take at least three steps after the catch without the ball moving in his hands before he is stripped.
"We would have preferred it stand," Carollo said. "Don't reofficiate it [in the replay booth] on judgment calls."
When asked about about the decision after game, Day said the situation was "too close right now." He continued: "I'm probably too emotional to really talk about those [calls]."
Day added there were "some plays" overturned in the game, "and when they overturn it, there has to be indisputable evidence."..
https://www.cbssports.com/college-f...should-have-stood-in-ohio-state-clemson-game/
A third-quarter fumble returned for a touchdown by No. 2 Ohio State in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl should not have been overturned and instead should have been allowed to stand, Big Ten supervisor of officials Bill Carollo tells CBS Sports just days after the College Football Playoff semifinal that sent No. 3 Clemson to the national title game.
In the third quarter of the Tigers' eventual 29-23 win, Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross was ruled to have fumbled after being hit by Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah following a 10-yard catch at the Clemson 30. OSU defensive back Jordan Fuller then returned the loose ball for a touchdown.
However, upon video review, the play was overturned and ruled an incompletion. Veteran SEC video review official Gerald Hodges initiated the booth review.
The officiating decision immediately became one of the most debated in the six-year history of the CFP. It set off a firestorm of debate on television and social media.
"I haven't talked to anybody who thought it was an incomplete pass," said Carollo, who has more than 30 years of officiating experience. "To reverse it, it has to be really obvious."
Carollo said he has spoken with both Ohio State coach Ryan Day and SEC officiating supervisor Steve Shaw about the play. Carollo admitted Day was upset, but, "He's a pro. Very professional."
A highly-rated, on-field veteran SEC crew worked the game. SEC administrators have not commented on the officiating decision itself. It is unknown whether the league will release a statement.
Referee Ken Williamson told a pool reporter after the game that "the ball was becoming loose in his hands and he did not complete the process of the catch."
Carollo said Williamson "misspoke on that. The ball was not moving."
The NCAA rulebook defines a catch as maintaining "control of the ball long enough to enable [a player] to perform an act common to the game … long enough to pitch or hand the ball, advance it, avoid or ward off an opponent."
Ross appears to take at least three steps after the catch without the ball moving in his hands before he is stripped.
"We would have preferred it stand," Carollo said. "Don't reofficiate it [in the replay booth] on judgment calls."
When asked about about the decision after game, Day said the situation was "too close right now." He continued: "I'm probably too emotional to really talk about those [calls]."
Day added there were "some plays" overturned in the game, "and when they overturn it, there has to be indisputable evidence."..
https://www.cbssports.com/college-f...should-have-stood-in-ohio-state-clemson-game/
