Mike Gundy is to Blame for Oklahoma State's Loss

Mike Gundy, not the refs, is solely responsible for Oklahoma State’s controversial loss to Central Michigan in which Central Michigan score the game winning touchdown on an extra untimed down that should not have been awarded by the officials.  The officials were made aware of the mistake following the game, but once a game is declared final on the field, the score cannot be changed.  However, even with this mistake by the refs, Mike Gundy, the Oklahoma State head coach, is the man to be blamed.  This is due to the play call Gundy made.  With 4 seconds left, on fourth down, Gundy decided to have his quarterback sit in the pocket and throw the ball out of bounds once the clock hit 0.  This play would automatically be declared an intentional grounding as the qb was in the pocket, and no receivers ran routes.  By rule, the game is allowed to end on an intentional grounding penalty. 

It is clear that Mike Gundy was unaware of the rule.  If he was aware, he would have done everything in his power to ensure that the refs ended the game before another play was run.  Gundy could have demanded that the refs ask for help from the replay booth.  Had he known the rule, he would have down anything short of being ejected in order to stop another play from being run.  Since it is clear he did not know the rule, then the play should have never been called.  By calling that play, Gundy allowed Central Michigan to get a free untimed down.  Gundy should have just had his qb run backwards until the four seconds were up. 

The refs and the replay official have been suspended for 2 weeks for this mistake.  They have been punished for the mistake they made on the field on Saturday.  The NCAA said the game score is final, and will not change.  Living with this loss will be Gundy’s punishment for calling a play that lead to a rule he did not understand.