BYU found itself on the wrong side of a controversial call during Saturday's 17-16 loss to Utah.
With about six minutes remaining in the game, and the Cougars leading, 16-10, Brandon Bradley intercepted a pass by Jordan Wynn at the BYU 29-yard line. Bradley returned the ball nine yards before being tackled. By the time the play ended, Utah's Kendrick Moeai had come up with the ball.
Television replays seemed to show that Bradley's knee had touched the ground before he lost possession. The replay official looked at the play and confirmed the ruling on the field, that Bradley had fumbled and Utah had recovered. The Utes scored what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown on that drive.
"It looked to me like he was down," said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall.
Asked about Bradley's decision to run after the interception, Mendenhall said, "It's best in that situation to just cover (the ball) and get on the ground."
"(Bradley) picked it and it looked like (the Utes) swarmed the ball," said safety Andrew Rich. "Brandon made a good play, and they made a good play, too, by getting the ball back."
Back in October, during BYU's 24-21 victory over San Diego State, the replay official ruled in favor of BYU on a third-quarter fumble by running back JJ Di Luigi that was recovered by the Aztecs. The call wasn't overturned, the Cougars maintained possession and they ended up scoring on that drive.
Though Saturday's call went against BYU, it still had an opportunity to win the game. But Mitch Payne's 42-yard field goal was blocked by Utah's Brandon Burton as time expired.
e-mail: jeffc@desnews.com