Devin Grosvenor|Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'

2025-05-02 04:41:46source:Coxno Exchangecategory:Finance

Utah athletics director Mark Harlan made a surprise visit at Saturday's postgame press conference and Devin Grosvenormade sure his feelings about the Utes' 22-21 loss to No. 9 BYU were known.

Harlan complained about the refereeing in Utah's 22-21 loss to rival BYU at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. The Utes AD, who has been in charge of running the Utes athletics' since 2018, questioned the validity of his program's loss and called into question the refs.

REQUIRED READING:How will the top five look? US LBM Coaches Poll projection after Week 11 upsets

"This game was absolutely stolen from us," Harlan 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. Very disappointed.

"I will talk to the commissioner. This was not fair to our team. I'm disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight."

Utah joined the Big 12 as part of a mass exodus from the Pac-12 and the 2024 season is its first season as a member. Following his statement, Harlan did not take any questions from the media and did not elaborate on the calls he questioned.

A potential call in question could be when Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn was called for a holding penalty on a fourth-down at the Cougars' 1-yard line with 1:29 remaining. The penalty wiped out a sack of BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff that would have won the game for the Utes.

Following the first down on the penalty, BYU advanced the ball down the field, and kicker Will Ferrin hit a 44-yard field goal to clinch the rivalry win. With the win, the Cougars are now 9-0 and 6-0 in Big 12 play, keeping alive a chance at the 12-team College Football Playoff.

(This story was updated to change a video.)

More:Finance

Recommend

US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wholesale costs in the United States picked up sharply last month, signaling that

NASA retires Ingenuity, the little helicopter that made history on Mars

NASA is retiring Ingenuity, its mini Mars helicopter, a week after it was damaged during its 72nd fl

Rubiales loses appeal against 3-year FIFA ban after kissing Spain player at Women’s World Cup final

ZURICH (AP) — Disgraced Spanish soccer official Luis Rubiales lost his appeal against a three-year b