Big 12 Official Makes Final Decision on Controversial Penalty From BYU-Utah originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Utah athletic director Mark Harlan showed his passionate side during last year’s Holy War matchup. After storming the field and declaring his displeasure with the Big 12 in the postgame press conference, he was given a definitive answer on a controversial fourth down penalty.
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Big 12 officials coordinator Greg Burks said the holding call that extended BYU’s game-winning drive against Utah was the correct call, according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
BYU was down by two points and faced a 4th and 10 at their own 9 with 1:30 to go. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff was sacked on the play, but it was negated due to a holding penalty with receiver JoJo Phillips on the ground. The Big 12 officials called a holding penalty on Utah’s Zemaiah Vaughn for pulling Phillips down. The call extended the drive, allowing Will Ferrin to boot a 44-yard field goal as time expired.
Harlan said the contest was “stolen” from Utah. He was later fined $40K by the Big 12.
The Avalanche-Journal obtained a copy of the Big 12’s response to the University of Utah through an open records request and published it on Friday. In total, Utah questioned six calls from the game. The one most scrutinized was the holding call.
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“(Retzlaff) looks to (Phillips) immediately after the snap, as the receiver moves to go around the defender, the defender grabs the receiver and prevents him from running his route. Correct call,” Burks said in response to Utah’s questioning of the call, according to The Avalanche-Journal.
Related: BYU Officials Send Clear Message About Jake Retzlaff’s Future in Provo
The report helps put to bed the controversy between the Cougars and Utes. This year’s edition of the Holy War will shift to Provo on Oct. 18.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
