WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Pac-12 Conference game officials who presided over a controversial finish to this weekend's Wisconsin-Arizona State football contest were reprimanded Monday.
Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said in an issued statement the officials "fell short of the high standard in which Pac-12 games should be managed" during a weird, game-ending sequence that resulted in a 32-30 Saturday loss for the then-No. 18 Badgers.
On the play, Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave took a knee to set up a potential game-winning field goal as the final seconds were ticking down.
After kneeling, he placed the ball at the line of scrimmage, but an Arizona State player jumped on it, claiming it was a fumble. But instead of calling a delay-of-game penalty on the Sun Devils, the officials allowed the clock to run.
After scrambling to the line of scrimmage, the Badgers were unable to get a play off before time expired, resulting in shocked disbelief.
"This was an unusual situation to end the game," Scott said. "We will continue to work with all our officials to ensure this type of situation never occurs again."
