Colorado-Hawaii Ending Featured a Comedy of Errors from Officiating Crew as Time Ran Out

The ending to last night’s (or for most of the country, early morning’s) game between Colorado-Hawaii featured quite the embarrassment of activities. Colorado, trailing by 8, completed a short pass inside the 10 yard line just short of the first down marker, with 14 seconds remaining. The Buffaloes were hoping to get one final play off to the end zone.

Instead, all of the following occurred:

• the receiver casually turns and flips the ball to the line judge (could have run it to the middle);
• the line judge then starts to put the ball down, taking time off the clock.
• By the time the ball gets flipped to the umpire, it’s down to about 7 seconds left. Colorado is almost set up ready to go on offense with everyone getting in position.
• The umpire turns to flip it the center judge. However, #36 from Hawaii is casually walking back into position through the line, and the ball hits off him and bounces away.
• The center judge then fumbles the ball twice trying to hurry and get it into position, and time expires.

Sorry, Colorado. This is still not as bad as getting a fifth down at the end of a game. Things eventually even out.