Controversial PAT hands Toledo another loss

Toledo lost its third straight game to a BCS program, but some are wondering if Saturdays 33-30 overtime setback at Syracuse was really a loss at all. It will look that way in the standings, with the Rockets dropping to 1-3 and the Orange improving to 3-1. On the field, however, may be a different story. The call in question came on an extra-point attempt after Alec Lemon received an 18-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Nassib to give Syracuse a 29-27 lead with 2:07 left in the game. Thats when the controversy began, with the point-after from Orange kicker Ross Krautman angling wide left. So wide, in fact, officials decided to take another look to see if the kick sailed left before or after it crossed the goal posts. Television replays indicated the kick did indeed fail. Those same replays also showed the Syracuse band, positioned directly behind the goal post, giving a disappointed reaction after the kick. But officials initially ruled the kick was good, and allowed that ruling to stand after further review, making the score 30-27 in favor of Syracuse. "After studying the videos of the Syracuse extra point attempt at 2:07 of the fourth quarter, we have concluded that the ruling on the field that the kick passed between the uprights was incorrect, and that the replay official made an error in failing to reverse that ruling," Big East coordinator of officiating Terry McAulay said in a written statement. "In reviewing the video, we have determined that the angle from behind the kicking team shows conclusively that the ball passes outside the right upright. McAuley added, "Our review of the process determined that the replay official mistakenly focused his attention on the sideline angle, which proved to be distorted. We are confident that our officiating staff will learn from this situation in order to prevent a reoccurrence." Making the botched call even more significant was the fact the Rockets drove down the field on the final possession of regulation and received a 20-yard field goal from Ryan Cassano to tie it as time expired. Had Krautmans missed PAT been ruled accurately, then Cassanos field-goal would have won the game for the Rockets. Instead, the game extended to overtime, where Krautman kicked a 27-yarder to end it. I dont know other than what they tell me in the box, and it looked like it was a little off to the left, Toledo coach Tim Beckman said during his post-game press conference. When you come into these games, I think weve learned as a football team, and as a coaching staff, its us against the world. Fans of non-BCS programs have long complained that larger programs often receive the benefit of the doubt from officiating crews, and the Rockets' loss Saturday may finally give them the proof they need. Still, Beckman took the high road when commenting on the controversial extra point. Weve got to make sure we dont give the touchdown up so they could kick the PAT, he said. The Orange took a 23-20 lead on Krautmans 29-yard field goal with 12:37 left in the fourth, but the Rockets quickly rallied to regain the lead. Austin Dantin hit Eric Page over the middle for 32 yards, gained another 12 on a keeper, and Morgan Williams scored on a 3-yard run to cap a 61-yard drive that took just four plays and gave the Rockets a 27-23 lead with 10:54 left. The Rockets took an early 10-0 lead, only to see the Orange rebound for a 20-all tie at halftime. Page caught 13 passes for a career-high 158 yards. Denton completed 22 of 32 passes for a season-high 258 yards, including one TD. The Associated Press contributed to this report.