Top > Sport > 2006 > September > 2006-09-22

Replay incident continues to be re-played

The controversy over a college football incident in which a replay official failed to overturn a call plays on. Every day of the week since the game has seen major developments, the most recent one bringing an end to the official`s season. After a death threat he received at his home in Portland, and criticism by Oklahoma team managers, Gordon Riese, the instant replay official, has been granted a leave of absence for the remainder of the football season by the Pac-10. The league announced Wednesday that the official requested the leave of absence.

In the final minutes of Oregon`s 34-33 comeback victory over Oklahoma, the Ducks recovered an onside kick that set up what turned out to be the winning touchdown. Oregon`s recovery of the onside kick should have been disallowed because the Ducks touched the ball before it went the required 10 yards. Riese has said he was "struggling" with missing the call. "I feel so bad I missed that call, it`s driving me crazy," he said.

Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen had some encouraging words for Riese: "Gordon Riese had a distinguished 28-year career as a Pac-10 official and, with the exception of Saturday, had done a fine job as a replay official. He is an individual with impeccable officiating credentials and unquestioned integrity. We look forward to his return next season."