Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott announced an immediate change to the conference’s replay process that will prevent Pac-12 leadership from having involvement in the process.
This move comes following a report that a member of Pac-12 leadership intervened in a decision that was based on a replay.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that we’ve made mistakes in terms of our procedures involved with replay review in the command center,” Scott said Thursday, according to ESPN.com. “We nixed administrative oversight and leadership with real-time replay review calls made by our experts on the field, in the stadium, and in the command center.”
A report by Yahoo Sports, which obtained a replay booth report, indicated that a “third party” “did not agree” with the decision by replay booth officials and by the command center regarding a targeting call in the USC Trojans-Washington State Cougars game on Sept. 21.
The result was that targeting was not called.
The third party, according to Yahoo, was Woodie Dixon, the Pac-12’s general counsel and senior vice president of business affairs.
Scott confirmed on Thursday that Dixon, who is not trained in officiating, was the person involved.
Scott said no punishment will be administered and was confident there was “no mal-intent” by those involved.
Scott also said Dixon, who oversees football for the Pac-12, did not believe he was dictating to the replay official what call should be made.
–Earlier this week Nebraska blocked running back Greg Bell from transferring to a number of schools including Oregon State, and on Thursday Nebraska coach Scott Frost said the Beavers were added to the list because of possible tampering.
Bell was signed by Frost out of junior college last December and started the first three games for Nebraska this season.
After he lost his starting job, he requested a scholarship release.
Nebraska granted his release but denied Bell the chance to speak to other Big Ten schools and teams that will face Nebraska the next three years.
Nebraska also denied Oregon State the right to talk to Bell. Three Nebraska players recently transferred to Oregon State — linebacker Avery Roberts, quarterback Tristan Gebbia and receiver Tyjon Lindsey.
Gebbia and Lindsey were recruited by former Nebraska head coach Mike Riley, who now works as an analyst at Oregon State under Jonathan Smith..
Former Nebraska assistant coach Trent Bray as well as three former members of Nebraska’s football administrative staff are also on Oregon State’s staff.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that those kids were probably in touch with some people that they formerly knew that were here,” Frost said of Gebbia, Lindsey and Roberts, per ESPN.
–Houston defensive end Isaiah Chambers, the team leader in sacks, announced on social media that he has an injury that will end his season.
He suffered a knee injury in the Cougars’ 41-26 victory over Tulsa on Oct. 4.
Chambers posted a message on Instagram, which reads: “My season sadly came to end due to Injury last week , @NFL I’m still coming for you Made a Promise to my mom I must fulfill , People go through way worse things then not playing football , I’m blessed .To Next year.”
The Houston football program has not commented on Chambers’ status or on the specifics of the injury.
Chambers, a redshirt sophomore, has recorded 4.5 sacks this season to lead the team and his six tackles for loss are second on the team to All-American Ed Oliver’s 6.5.
–Alabama coach Nick Saban revealed this week that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is dealing with a sprained knee.
He is now wearing a brace for protection, but it does not seem serious.
“He’s been able to do all the work in practice, so that’s not an issue,” Saban said.
Tagovailoa is not expected to miss any practice time and will be available for Saturday’s home game against Missouri.
