Iowa State football: Athletic director criticizes Big 12 officiating
By Brian Spaen
Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard went up to the podium after the Cyclones’ 37-20 loss to Oklahoma State, and lashed out on the bad officiating that has plagued the school’s athletic teams for the last couple of years.
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Pollard came out emotional and passionate after the refs’ botched call on awarding Cowboys running back Desmond Roland a touchdown right before half. After initially calling Roland short, they overturned the call despite not having confirmed evidence in the video.
It was going to be 6-6 before half. Instead, it was 13-6. Tyreek Hill opened up the second half with a 97-yard kick return.
“We’ve been on the short end of several controversial calls and it’s hard to sit idle and watch,” Pollard said. “Not debate, but to feel sorry for Iowa State because maybe there will be another apology for a call. But it’s no longer fair to put our student athletes, our coaching staff and our fans in that position.”
Pollard doesn’t blame them for frustration they showed at halftime, citing that “they’re frustrated with a lack of action.”
Oct 4, 2014; Stillwater, OK, USA; Iowa State Cyclones tight end E.J. Bibbs (11) catches a pass for a touchdown against Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Jordan Sterns (13) during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma won 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Despite an obvious reprimand coming, it didn’t phase Iowa State’s AD.
“I recognize that the Big 12 does not allow comments to be made on officiating,” Pollard said. “And I recognize there are penalties for that. But folks, our institution’s been penalized already.”
Pollard’s last quote before stepping away from the podium was the most important, because it reigned so true to plenty of head coaches that have been fired.
“That ends careers for football coaches, ADs and presidents,” Pollard said, “and so something’s got to be done. I don’t know what it is, but there needs to be more accountability in what happens in certain situations.”
Pollard will get laughed by Hawkeye fans and trolls on Twitter — somebody already said he should get ebola. It doesn’t matter. Pollard will get slammed by local and national media pundits because he was vocal about not wanting college athletes to get paid. It doesn’t matter.
Iowa State doesn’t whine any more than any other school when a select group of fans bitch about refs.
What does matter is that Pollard stood up for a team when they needed it most, taking the heat off of a head coach and grabbing the reprimand from the Big 12. Something had to be said publicly, because when a school is about to receive their fifth apology letter due to officials blatantly blowing their job and not by judgement calls, something has to change.