By: Jonathan K. Martin | WV Sports Chat
In a rare public admission of officiating missteps, West Virginia Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker issued a statement today addressing a contentious penalty call that could have altered the outcome of the Mountaineers’ thrilling 31-24 overtime victory over rival Pittsburgh in the Backyard Brawl on September 13.
The focal point of Baker’s statement was an unsportsmanlike penalty called against Pitt with just seconds remaining in the first half. The penalty stemmed from a late hit on WVU’s quarterback, Nicco Marchiol, during a play that ended with one second left on the clock.
According to Baker, the enforcement of the penalty was mishandled, preventing the Mountaineers from potentially attempting field goal to end the half.
“At the end of the first half of the football game with Pitt, an unsportsmanlike penalty (late hit) was called against the Panthers. It has been confirmed to our staff that the rules relating to the interpretation and application of that penalty were incorrect. In an effort to preserve player safety, players cannot and should not be able to commit unsportsmanlike penalties with no consequences. Player safety should always be at the forefront of our minds. It is my understanding that the NCAA football officials were sent information this week on how the penalty should have been enforced.”
