Pac-12 refs who hurt USC vs Arizona commit more huge blunders one week later
In each of USC’s last two games, the officiating crew has taken center stage. After the Arizona game, Lincoln Riley had this to say:
“They admitted that they messed it up. My question was, ‘If you messed it up why didn’t you stop the play and review it?’ The explanation given to me at the beginning of the third quarter was they obviously didn’t handle it properly.”
The USC-Arizona officiating crew was led by Michael Mothershed. That crew had the assignment for Friday night’s nationally-televised Pac-12 game in Seattle between Oregon State and Washington.
You’ll never guess what happened: not only lots of bad officiating errors, but some comically bad developments on a crazy night.
Let’s go through the events and how people reacted to them:
THE SUMMARY
Michael Mothershed's P12 Crew:
-Can't count to 12
-Can't get the player's numbers right on fouls
-Reviewed targeting on the wrong player
-Announced the half was over after the 1st quarter
-Called their own timeout to blowup a big play@SickosCommittee needs to induct this crew pic.twitter.com/r2Z9krA3gL— Isaiah Walker (@walkeri141) November 5, 2022
ONE BY ONE
Let’s break down the above errors so that you know exactly what happened in each instance.
“Can’t count to 12” refers to the crew calling 12 men on the field on Oregon State when, in fact, OSU had just 11 players on the field. It wasn’t even close. OSU did not have a 12th guy running off the field just before the snap.
PERSONAL FOUL
The Mothershed crew clearly provided the wrong number of a Washington Husky player on a personal foul penalty.
TARGETING REVIEW
The crew initially called targeting on an Oregon State defensive player who completely whiffed on a tackle. Just amazing. The targeting call was overturned, but still, the initial call was extraordinarily bad.
HALF OR QUARTER
Mothershed really did announce that the half was over when, in fact, only the first quarter had ended. We all should have been so lucky.
THE WORST ERROR
The worst error of the night was an inadvertent whistle which cost Oregon State a potentially big gain on a running play. Beaver fans, as you can imagine, were furious.
REACTIONS
Lol thanks to Michael mothershed to blowing dead and calling back a 1st down run to tell us no timeout was called
If only there was any indication that this dunce shouldn't be refereeing
— #BuckMetrics (@buckmetrics) November 5, 2022
BRUTAL
Refs need to take a breathalyzer. Phantom whistle, bad spot near goal line, questionable targeting call, can't count to 11. Imagine this game before replay reviews.
— David B (@drbwxc) November 5, 2022
YES
Oregon State gets absolutely screwed out of a big run play as the Pac-12 refs botch a non-timeout call (surprised?).
But then the Beavers convert on third down anyway.
Phew.
— Carter Bahns (@carterbahns) November 5, 2022
OUCH
It’s more than that, the play had TD written all over it. But it was a specialty play. They may only run it three times all year. It’s a two back formation they showed early in the game specifically to set up this play. It was perfect and then the refs screwed the pooch
— Science isn't fiction (@BS_immunized) November 5, 2022
HARSH TRUTH
Michael Mothershed’s crew has always been the joke of the PAC-12. Tonight: no exception. #Pac12Refs https://t.co/fj5ZnBaNBC
— Tyler Stobbe (@StarcraftSquall) November 5, 2022
LOL
As a referee we get 2 free random stoppages per game.
Thought Mothershed picked a good time to use one of his on that 3rd down play for Oregon State.
— Glasses Ref (@GlassesRef) November 5, 2022
POOF!
The Phantom Timeout. The more you look for it, the quicker it disappears.
— Jim Speckart (@JimSpeckart) November 5, 2022
SPEECHLESS
"That's the end of the first half," yelled by the referee … at the end of the 1st quarter.
They're amazing. They really are. #Pac12refs
— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth) November 5, 2022
HAHAHAHA!
Pac-12 refs can’t count to 12 anymore after USC and UCLA leaving
— Spencer Ferrero (@Stryker1sf) November 5, 2022
SIGH
Pac-12 refs reviewing if they made the right call on a penalty. pic.twitter.com/hZ1VVSzchR
— Matt Prehm (@MattPrehm) November 5, 2022
IT CONTINUES
Pac-12 refs called targeting on Oregon State No. 26 – who doesn't exist.
Refs come back on the mic to confirm there is no targeting on No. 5, Alex Austin.
— Lars Hanson (@LarsHanson) November 5, 2022
TRULY SCARY
lmao pac-12 refs in rare form on a spooky friday night
— carlos: a pac-12 enjoyer (@equitybruin) November 5, 2022
VINTAGE
Another banner night for Pac-12 refs
— Jeff, Continental Champ (@PodvsEveryone) November 5, 2022
LAUGHINGSTOCK
Pac-12 refs pic.twitter.com/2nHvrJYovj
— Smokin' Ute (@MrSmokinUte) November 5, 2022
HEADLINES
Pac 12 Refs https://t.co/fGBNZiLqKh
— Lisa Horne (@LisaHorne) November 5, 2022
IT IS EXHAUSTING
Jesus. Pac-12 refs are so embarrassing.
— ✨Baroness Quackenbush✨ (@MegaQuack24) November 5, 2022
GOOD POINT
Anyone still complaining that they want to get rid of replay–the PAC 12 refs almost called 12 men on the field, which would've given UW a 4th and 6 after they failed to convert 4th and 11 right on the cusp of FG range to end the 2nd half. It was clearly 11. Replay has a role. https://t.co/iv7iN5Yb7c
— E11aStrong 🐅🐅 (@QuackingTiger) November 5, 2022
GOOD QUESTION
Have the Pac-12 refs ever considered just not?
— DOC (@DearOldCrimson) November 5, 2022
NO DOUBT
I think if the Pac-12 could fix just the ref issue it would do so much to improve the image of the conference.
— DOC (@DearOldCrimson) November 5, 2022
BOTTOM LINE
Pac-12 refs are truly horrendous. They have to be the worst group of officials in all of organized football.
I'm convinced the viral ref last week caught blatantly moving the football on a measurement was a former P12 guy. Each week they find a way to screw up the obvious
— Ryan Hickey (@Ryan_Hickey3) November 5, 2022
