Oklahoma Sooners Football Blog: (9/18) President David Boren Open-Letter, Oklahoma Sooner Notes and Articles

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma's President David Boren letter to Big 12: Today, University of Oklahoma President David Boren released a letter calling on the commissioner of the Big 12 Conference to take action related to the breakdown of officiating in the Oklahoma-Oregon football game last Saturday. (SoonerSports.com Release)

Dear Commissioner Weiberg:

To describe the lapses in accurate officiating at the Oklahoma-Oregon football game last Saturday as constituting an outrageous injustice is an understatement. Since officiating is a conference responsibility as opposed to an individual institutional responsibility, we must look to you to launch a vigorous effort to correct the situation.

On behalf of the University of Oklahoma, I ask that you as Big 12 Commissioner take the following actions:

- First, seek an apology from the Pac-10 Conference for the gross errors in officiating.

- Second, since institutions, players, and coaches are held responsible by conferences and the NCAA for their actions, those who officiate games should also be held responsible. At the very least, those found responsible for reviewing the onside kick call and the interference call in the closing minutes of the game should be suspended from officiating for the rest of the season.

- Third, it is my understanding that the Pac-10 Conference has a rule that they will only use Pac-10 officials at games with other conference institutions hosted by Pac-10 members. In light of what happened Saturday, the Big 12 should request that the Pac-10 change its rule to assure impartial officiating.

- Fourth, the Big 12 should request that the game should not go into the record books as a win or loss by either team in light of the level of officiating mistakes.

- Fifth, the Big 12 should place on the appropriate agendas of NCAA meetings and meetings of the conference commissioners a discussion of how the film review process should be implemented.

Since the University of Oklahoma and its officials are required by conference sportsmanship rules to limit their comments in situations like this, we must look to you as the commissioner of the Big 12 Conference to vigorously demand that our teams be treated fairly when participating in non-conference games.

It is truly sad and deeply disappointing that members of our football team should be deprived of the outcome of the game that they deserved because of an inexcusable breakdown in officiating.
Sincerely,
David L. Boren
President, The University of Oklahoma

Conference/OU Statements' and result unlikely to be overturned: Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said Sunday in a statement, "There should be no mistaking our very serious concerns about the events that transpired and the energy we will exert in voicing those concerns." Jim Muldoon, Pac-10 associate commissioner of communications and football administration, said Sunday, "We are reviewing it right now and we may have a statement tomorrow. "Our coordinator of officials (Verle Sorgen) will review the tapes and, if he deems necessary -- which I suspect he will -- he will then talk to the parties involved, the replay officials," Muldoon said. "He reviews the tapes of every game, yes, and gets a report of every game, yes. But we'll be expediting this one just because of the somewhat controversial nature of the finish." Muldoon said the Pac-10 has taken action for officiating mistakes previously. It may be nothing more than a public reprimand or, more unlikely, a formal apology to Oklahoma or the Big 12 Conference. "I know different leagues do this differently," Muldoon said. "But we are not reticent about admitting if we make a mistake." Big 12 associate commissioner of communications Bob Burda said Sunday "the result will stand. I don't believe there's any protocol in place to overturn the result of a game, regardless of what the review process may uncover."...... Castiglione said he has "taken immediate steps . . . in officially requesting a comprehensive review of specific officiating decisions and use of instant replay," but said, "we fully understand the outcome of the game is irreversible, regardless of the decisions made in regards to the grievance." Said Stoops, "In the end, it isn't going to change anything. In the end, I've got to look at a bunch of kids that fought hard and have a loss right now(In part from Tulsa World)

Walker may start? Defensive coordinator Brent Venables indicated that CB Marcus Walker is likely to start next week after breaking up four passes against Oregon. (Dallas Morning News)

Stoops disappointed with Pass Interference call: Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Sunday he was "incredibly disappointed" after reviewing videotapes of a disputed onside kick and pass interference penalty from the Sooners' last-minute loss to Oregon. Stoops said he believes an Oregon player interfered with Oklahoma's chance to recover an onside kick by touching the ball before it traveled 10 yards. The play gave Oregon possession and set up the Ducks' game-winning drive. "The instant replay was brought up to eliminate issues like this. And here, there are a number of issues that are clearly -- looking at video -- wrong," Stoops said Sunday. (SoonerSports.com)

Offensive Coordinator Wilson praises Adrian: "With loaded boxes, I think that running back is playing about as good as you can ask anyone to play," Wilson said. "He's playing against a loaded deck every week and he's playing great." (NewsOK.com)

Stoops: Protection Good, Kick Low: Bob Stoops said the protection was solid on Garrett Hartley's final field goal, but the kick was a little low. Oregon blocked the 44-yard attempt as time expired. (Dallas Morning News)

Peterson receives Big 12 Weekly Honor: For the second straight week, Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson has been named the Big 12 Conference's Offensive Player of the Week. It is the sixth time in his three-year career that he has been so honored. The junior had 34 rushing attempts for 211 yards and one touchdown last Saturday at Oregon. Peterson was particularly brilliant in the fourth quarter when he rambled for 145 yards. His career mark now stands at 3,548, just 570 yards shy of Billy Sims' OU career mark of 4,118. With 515 yards thus far, Peterson is off to the best three-game start of his career. He is averaging 171.1 yards per game and is ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Division I-A statistics. (SoonerSports Release)

Onside Kick Video: KWTV via NewsOK.com

Refs don't have to answer to anyone: The Oklahoman

Chalk bad calls up to a lack of luck: The Oklahoman

Sooners have lost their swagger: The Oklahoman

Replays become crutches for refs: The Oklahoman

Patrick's unseen recovery should have won the game: The Oklahoman

Questions and answers: The Oklahoman

Sooners can't dwell on past: The Oklahoman

Officiating Bad, but So Is Sooners' D: SI.com

Last three plays: Tulsa World

OU coach dejected after seeing replay: Tulsa World

Top three all-time blown OU calls: Tulsa World

Stoops talks officiating: Norman Transcript

OU hasn't recovered: Dallas Morning News

OU president wants action after 'gross errors' by officials: Dallas Morning News

Upsets, statements and controversy: ESPN.com

On further review, UO will take the victory: Register-Guard