Utah AD Mark Harlan says BYU game was ‘absolutely stolen from us’

The game was over.

As BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff lay on his back on the wrong goal line, a record crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium erupted, sure that the Utes had applied the final hit in an upset rivalry victory.

Or so they thought.

A fourth-down holding penalty on Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn gave the Cougars a new set of downs, new life and, ultimately, the start of an improbable win.

Over the next 1:31, Retzlaff led BYU down the field and into field goal range, where kicker Will Ferrin drilled a 44-yarder to give the Cougars a 22-21 victory.

Utah athletic director Mark Harlan issued a scathing rebuke of the officiating after the game.

“I’ve been an athletic director for 12 years. This game was absolutely stolen from us,” he said. “We were excited about being in the Big 12, but tonight I am not. We won this game. Someone else stole it from us. I’m very disappointed. I will talk to the commissioner. This is not fair to our team. I am disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight.”

On Sunday afternoon, the Big 12 announced Harlan had been fined $40,000.

“Mark’s comments irresponsibly challenged the professionalism of our officials and the integrity of the Big 12 Conference,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement. “There is a right way and a wrong way to voice concerns. Unfortunately, Mark chose the wrong way. Accordingly, this violation warrants a public reprimand and financial penalty. The Big 12 Conference prioritizes professionalism, integrity, and fairness, and will continue to do so.”

BYU is now 9-0, all alone atop the Big 12 standings, and looking at a clear path to the conference title game.

The Utes (4-5, 1-5) have now lost five straight games and back-to-back meetings with their rival.

“An unfortunate way to lose a ballgame,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. “I’m proud of our guys, proud of our players. They battled. They should hold their heads high. It’s not on them, it’s not on them.”

Asked about the controversial call at the end of the game, Whittingham said: “I don‘t want to go over those. They are what they are. It’s a ridiculous situation. I’m not going to get into it.”

In sophomore quarterback Brandon Rose’s first career start, Utah looked in control for most of the game. Led by Rose’s two passing touchdowns and a rushing score from senior tight end Brant Kuithe, the Utes held a 21-10 advantage at halftime.

BYU’s lone touchdown of the first half came off a 96-yard kickoff return from Keelan Marion.

The Cougars scored a 33-yard field goal in the third quarter, shrinking the Utes lead to a 21-13 margin.

Retzlaff started off the fourth period with a quarterback sneak and score but was intercepted on a two-point conversion, keeping the Utes’ lead at two points.

The score was still 21-19 when Retzlaff took over on his own 9 with 1:56 to play.

Over the next four snaps, the Utah defense swarmed and the Cougars' QB threw three incompletions. On fourth down, the Utes wrapped him and brought him to the ground.

But the Cougars' drive was extended by the penalty.

Two plays later, Retzlaff found Chase Roberts with a 30-yard strike to get to midfield.

A 12-yard catch by Darius Lassiter and a 14-yard run by Hinkley Ropati brought the Cougars into field goal range.

“We played lights out [defensively], we just can’t get that one last stop,” Whittingham said.

BYU finished the game with 339 yards of offense to Utah’s 259.

Rose finished his first start 12-of-21 with two touchdowns and an interception. Retzlaff had 219 yards passing and one rushing score.

Bernard led Utah with 82 rushing yards. LJ Martin had 72 on 11 carries for BYU.