Mountain West Conference Suspends Group of Officials

File this one under weird things that happen in the Mountain West. The conference on Sunday announced that it was suspending the officiating crew, along with the replay official, from the Air Force-Wyoming game over the weekend, from their next assignment.

With 1:40 remaining in the contest, and Air Force ahead 20-6, Wyoming had the ball at their own 39-yard line and a 1^st-down and-10 to go, following Tyler Vander Waal hitting Raghib Ismail Jr. for a 10-yard completion. On the play Vander Waal was dropped for an 11-yard loss, which should’ve brought up a 2^nd and 21. Instead the officials marked it down as 3^rd and 21.

The Cowboys then had an incomplete pass and a sack on what was marked as 4^th down, giving the ball back to Air Force with 1:17 to play.

The MWC released a statement on Sunday regarding the situation. “After a thorough review, the Mountain West has confirmed the officiating crew incorrectly ruled third down, when it should have been second down, with 1:40 remaining in the fourth quarter of the November 30th Wyoming at Air Force football game. As a result, both the on-field officials and the replay crew have been suspended from their next assignments.”

Considering the amount of technology used in today’s college game, this is a definite black eye for the conference.