Pac-12 refs made themselves the center of another firestorm in USC’s loss to Utah
We have discussed the two brutal roughing-the-passer calls which went against USC on Saturday night against Utah. We’re not going to relitigate them here. However, there is a larger point to make about the Pac-12 officiating crew in Salt Lake City, and about Pac-12 refs in general:
They were really bad in Week 7. Really bad … and not just from a USC perspective.
Journalists who were on site at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City were laughing in the press box at how bad the officiating crew was. Time-clock problems, administrative problems, and other matters beyond getting calls right (which the crew obviously struggled to do) were all part of a giant mess.
Here’s how journalists and analysts reacted to the unfolding trainwreck in Salt Lake City:
FROM JON WILNER: STRAIGHT TRUTH
Pac-12 officials have been terrible today.
Terrible.
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) October 16, 2022
NATIONAL LAUGHINGSTOCK (AGAIN)
LOLOLOLOL Pac-12 refs LOLOLOL
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 16, 2022
EVERY USC FAN THINKS THIS (APPROPRIATELY)
Shout out to the PAC-12 refs on a strong victory against USC tonight. Hat tip. You guys played valiantly.
— Chris Mattmann (@chrismattmann) October 16, 2022
NO LIES DETECTED
This is an all-time Pac-12 refs performance tonight.
— Antonio Morales (@AntonioCMorales) October 16, 2022
THIS IS A FACT
Na this is an issue. YOU’RE CHANGING THE GAME !! BAD CALLS. 2 of them have now changed this game in Utah’s favor. Ridiculously bad officiating by these PAC 12 refs
— Su’a (@iammsuzy) October 16, 2022
NO JOKE (WE WISH IT WAS)
Nick Figueroa called for roughing the passing with targeting.
Yet, there was neither on the play. WOW! Pac-12 refs treating Cam Rising like Tom Brady tonight.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) October 16, 2022
IT REALLY WAS THAT BAD
Worst officiated game I've seen in awhile. And I've watched Pac-12 refs for YEARS.
— RichSC (@OriginalRichSC) October 16, 2022
FOR REAL
Cowing is ruled to have fumbled. I thought he was down. Pac-12 refs probably will rule the play a safety.
— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) October 16, 2022
HARD TO ARGUE
Refs won that for Utah. Roughing the passer rather than a turnover that instead turned into a touchdown. PAC 12 looked like they called it in. Refs were atrociously one sided tonight.
— Scott Tyler Felix (@scottstarrfelix) October 16, 2022
IT WASN'T ROUGHING
THE RULES ANALYST COMES ON AND SAYS IT IS NOT A ROUGHING THE PASSER. THESE REFS ARE CALLING AGAINST USC. ANYTHING TO PUNISH US FOR LEAVING THE PAC 12
— Sidelines – USC (@SSN_USC) October 16, 2022
YES
My problem with Pac-12 refs is that they are legitimately bad at the basic elements of their job, not just the judgements but the literal application of rules.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) October 16, 2022
TRULY ATROCIOUS
That might be the worst targeting call I've ever seen by these Pac-12 refs. They've been atrocious.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 16, 2022
THIS IS GENUINE
Honestly, if USC and UCLA chose the Big 10 solely to get away from Pac-12 refs, it would be a good decision. https://t.co/xAkpcPGMqf
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) October 16, 2022
SERIOUSLY
Oh okay so the Pac-12 refs watched a lot of NFL last weekend. Let's play football. What even is this
— Reign of Troy (@ReignofTroy) October 16, 2022
THE PLAIN REALITY
PAC-12 refs are embarrassing
— Scott Tyler Felix (@scottstarrfelix) October 16, 2022
GROAN
How many Pac-12 refs does it take to screw in a light bulb?
That's the whole joke, no need for a punchline
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) October 16, 2022
ALWAYS
Pac-12 refs making a mess
— Allen Kenney (@BlatantHomerism) October 16, 2022
AGAIN
Pac 12 Refs and inadvertent whistles man 🤦♂️
— Jordan Simone (@JordanSimone38) October 16, 2022
JUST BAD
Pac-12 refs are a special breed of dumb
— Dylan Reubenking (@drksportsnews) October 16, 2022
SO TRUE IT HURTS
Pac-12 refs be finding rules from page 968 of their rulebook in the last 2 minutes
— Flock (@TheFlockIsHot) October 16, 2022
THEY DID
Pac-12 officials are so bad that both Utah and USC fans feel like the refs were favoring the other team
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) October 16, 2022
EVERYBODY
Pac-12 clock operators / refs / everybody
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) October 16, 2022
NOPE
I will not miss PAC-12 refs. Harumph.
— Matt Leland (@MattLeland) October 16, 2022
WILD
Pac 12 refs are wild man lol
— Cyrus Smith (@CoolCyWrites) October 16, 2022
NEVER
My word, the Pac-12 refs never disappoint.
— Kevin Riedel (@kevinriedel) October 16, 2022
ROCK BOTTOM
Wow… Pac-12 refs at an all-time low. Worst of the worst.
— Jordan 🦆 (@_JordanFlowers_) October 16, 2022
FINALLY, FROM TROJANS WIRE
In a 1-point game, two obviously awful calls handed Utah 14 points. We can debate other calls, but two roughing penalties totally changed two Utah possessions. https://t.co/u7a2sqP2K0
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) October 16, 2022
