I’m deeply disappointed in how most major media outlets are handling Central Michigan’s upset over Oklahoma State. Instead of complaining about the officiating, they should have given the Chippewas credit for winning the game.
Make no mistake about it: the botched call was certainly a story. By rule, Central Michigan should not have received an untimed down after accepting an intentional grounding penalty that resulted in a loss of down. Since Oklahoma State should have – by rule – won this contest, it only makes sense that the media would want to cover this angle.
But, let’s be honest: officials are human beings. As such, they’re going to make mistakes. While college football is taking steps to prevent things like this from happening in the future (e.g. centralized replay), the bottom line is that human error is still a part of the game. If the refs blow a call, it’s up to the team to overcome the error.
In other words: the blown call didn’t decide this contest. Unlike the officiating – which it had no control over – Oklahoma State controlled its own destiny on the final play. If it stopped Central Michigan kept Central Michigan out of the end zone, it would win. If it didn’t, it would lose.
Let’s be honest: the ‘Pokes had to like their chances with the Chippewas sitting 51 yards away from the end zone. Central Michigan would have to come up with an amazing play if it was going pull off an upset in this one.
And, that’s exactly what they did. Cooper Rush heaved the ball towards the end zone. Jesse Kroll caught the ball at the Cowboy 12-yard line, and was met by a few OSU defenders. However, right before he hit the ground, he lateralled the ball to Corey Willis,
who sprinted across the field for the game-winning score.
That type of flawless execution isn’t something that happens very often. Sure, it’s happened before (see: CMU’s finish to the 2014 Bahamas Bowl finish), but it’s extremely rare. Since it doesn’t happen often, shouldn’t the Chippewas get credit for executing with the game on the line?
Yes, they should.
Unfortunately, they’re not. It seems like all of the talking heads want to focus on the misapplication of a rule, rather than a fantastic finish.
That’s a shame… because Oklahoma State didn’t lose as a direct result of an officiating mistake. It lost because Central Michigan made a play it needed to, when it needed to.
It’s shame that’s not the real takeaway from Saturday’s contest.
