AUTZEN STADIUM WAS in a state of pandemonium Saturday night after Oregon's Noah Whittington bolted 100 yards on a kickoff return for what was presumed to be a game-tying, fourth-quarter touchdown against Boise State.
But just as the Ducks were about to kick the extra point to make the score 34-34, referee Chris Coyte waved for a stoppage and turned on his microphone.
"The play is under review," he said. "The runner may have let the ball go before crossing the goal-line plane."
Gasp.
Sure enough, replay showed Whittington had committed one of football's cardinal sins, letting go of the ball just shy of the end zone as he began to celebrate.