Big Sky suspends referees who erred on key play from Sac State’s win over Idaho

The Big Sky Conference announced Monday that the referee crew that worked last Saturday’s Idaho-Sacramento State football game at Hornet Stadium were in error on the game’s most crucial play, leading to the conference suspending members of that officiating crew.

Cardell Williams hit Jordan Williams with an 18-yard pass to the Vandals 2-yard line with 12 seconds to play, and despite replays and still photos that showed that the receiver landed out of bounds, the call was upheld by the officiating crew.

Sac State on its next play won the game, 23-20, on a 2-yard scoring run by Cardell Williams to move the Hornets to 7-4 on the season and 5-2 in the Big Sky, setting up a showdown against rival UC Davis in the Causeway Classic this Saturday. Sac State could qualify for the FCS playoffs with a victory. Idaho dropped to 4-7 and 2-5 and is not playoff eligible with this many losses.

In a statement posted on social media, the Big Sky office wrote, “In conjunction with its coordinator of officials, the Big Sky Conference has reviewed the play with twelve seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the football game Saturday between Sacramento State and Idaho. The officials on the field called a pass attempt by Sacramento State successful, and replay did not overturn this call.

“It is evident that incorrect judgment was applied to this play. The Big Sky acknowledges and regrets this error in officiating, and as a result has suspended multiple officials who worked this contest. The conference will have no further public comment on this matter.”

Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr. told media after the game that the controversial play that happened on the Vandals side of the field turned the game.

“Obviously, pretty frustrated with the result,” Ford Jr. said. “I felt like at the end of the game there, we got one taken from us.”

The coach added, “I don’t think that’s the right call. It got reviewed, (and referees) said there wasn’t enough evidence (to overturn it). They definitely missed one on that call, and I believe they will see this, and think the exact same. Very proud of the way our players played. We felt like something got taken away from us that was out of our control.”

Sacramento State coach Brennan Marion did not comment on the play, but he has commented on officiating this season. He pointed out in a media session last month that eight Hornets touchdowns have been called back this season.

Marion did not mention the Big Sky referees in that interview, but the conference did fine him $10,000 with Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill saying in a statement then, “I want to make it abundantly clear that publicly questioning the integrity of our officials and the Conference Office will not be tolerated. Professionalism, integrity, and fairness are the foundation of who we are, and all institutional personnel must recognize the responsibility they carry as examples for our student-athletes, campus communities, and the Big Sky Conference.”