The Miami Hurricanes matchup against the Duke Blue Devils on Halloween displayed an arsenal of tricks and treats for fans in attendance. At Wallace Wade Stadium, viewers were slated to be treated to a game full of non-stop excitement and it did not disappoint. Duke was on the verge of cementing the comeback being down 24-12 with only three minutes left in the game. The Blue Devils had just captured the lead for the first time 27-24 in the fourth quarter. After completing the two-point conversion by Duke quarterback, Thomas Sirk, the Blue Devils squibbed the ensuing kickoff to the Canes with just six seconds remaining.
The play consisted of eight laterals and lasted for a total of 46 seconds. Almost comparable to "The Play" in 1982, involving the University of California Golden Bears and the Stanford Cardinals, minus the marching band's slated appearance. The final and eighth toss going to Canes defensive back Corn Elder, who shockingly jolted down the sidelines for 91 yards to score the controversial game-winning touchdown.
Even on Halloween, this was a scary sight to see. Miraculous plays arise once every blue moon.
The referees deliberated for a whopping nine minutes after the play just to be sure if Mark Walton's knee was down before he made the fourth lateral. After initial reviews, analysts consider the referees to botch the blatant missed calls in the back. Of course David Cutcliffe, head coach of the Blue Devils, was highly convinced that the runner was down.
"I'm going to just tell you like it is: I thought the guy was down. And I think pictures will prove me right." Cutcliffe says.
Officials failed to penalize the Hurricanes when Rashawn Scott appeared on the field, who was previously on the sidelines and not in the game. However, this penalty would not have affected the touchdown's result, since it would be a dead-ball foul.
Ultimately, the ACC has decided to suspend the officiating crew, the replay official, and the communicator for two games based on the errors from the final play of the game. If the referees made the right call of declaring Mark Walton down by his knee, it would have prompted a Duke victory.
According to the statement by the Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swafford, "The quality of our officiating program is of the highest importance to the league and its schools, and the last play of the game was not handled appropriately."
Even though the outcome cannot be changed, it is vitally important to uphold the best standards for viewers.
This was a Canes team that needed a victory after recently firing their head coach, Al Golden, who was dismissed by Canes Athletic Director, Blake James, a day after losing to Clemson 58-0. This was there worst loss in the football program's 90-year history. Golden' overall collegiate record was 32-25, and only (17-18) in ACC play. James picked Larry Scott, the former Canes tight end's coach, as the interim head coach.
Tight-end coaches have done Miami football teams justice this season, serving as an electric catalysts, sparking life in the locker room and on the practice field. Looking ahead, we can expect the Canes to expound on this thrilling victory at home next week, Nov. 7 against the Virginia Cavaliers.
