Athletic director Blake James told donors and season ticket holders in a letter Thursday that the ACC apologized to the university for "multiple incorrect calls" during the Hurricanes controversial win against Duke.
The Hurricanes won following a miraculous eight-lateral play that resulted in a touchdown by Corn Elder. However, the ACC issued a public statement saying the play should not have counted because a Miami player’s knee was down during one of the laterals. The ACC also pointed out that several block in the back penalties were not called during the sequence as well. The officials from that game were suspended for two contests.
While Duke and a lot of the college football world was up in arms about that play, there were several other questionable penalties that were called throughout the game — on both sides — that could have affected the outcome of the contest.
"Rest assured, beginning just hours after our victory, the University was forceful yet respectful in our approach," James wrote in his letter saying that the school had voiced displeasure about the officiating as a whole. "Earlier today we sent a formal letter to the conference office, summarizing and reiterating our concerns, and now consider this matter closed."
Included in Miami’s complaints was Duke's go-ahead touchdown with 6 seconds remaining. Miami contended that Duke’s ball carrier never broke the plane of the end zone and took issue with the play not being reviewed. Also during that drive, the Hurricanes were issued three pass interference penalties, including one that negated an interception.
The ACC never offered to change the outcome of the contest and it wouldn’t have been right to do so anyway. Any number of plays or calls by the officials could have affected the outcome of the game, not just the crazy eight-lateral play at the end.
And James seemed OK with that.
"The eight-lateral, touchdown play which won the game will forever be cemented in college football lore and in our storied history," James wrote. "The fact that the ACC publicly acknowledged officiating errors on the play does not, in any way, take away our victory or our incredible spirit."
For more Miami news, visit CaneSport.com.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
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