Several calls went against LSU in its one-point overtime loss to Kentucky, including a controversial touchdown just before halftime. Officials allowed quarterback Kenny Minchey to be pushed into the end zone despite appearing to have his forward progress stopped. Coach Lane Kiffin on the explanation he received:
“The line judge just said, ‘Hey, in that situation, there’s just too much at stake;’ He said, ‘he’d be killed if he had blown the whistle for a play being stopped;’ it appeared to be stopped,” Kiffin explained.
Kiffin argued that if a runner’s forward progress is stopped early in a game, officials should make the same ruling at the end of a half, regardless of the circumstances.
“Don’t not look because it’s such a big play; the rules are the rules, so if you see it that way, then see it that way. That’s my complaint with it,” Kiffin said.
Another controversial call that went against LSU came right before the winning two-point score. It appeared a Kentucky player was guilty of a false start and a flag was thrown, but the officials determined the Wildcats called a timeout before the penalty occurred. Kiffin says he didn’t get a clear explanation on that call.
“You know, that’s a first-time SEC referee that I’ve never communicated with, and it doesn’t mean I’m right; I struggled with him in communication of things and how I’m used to them being done, including the pumping of the clock on the two-point play for them; but hey, it is what it is,” Kiffin noted.
