Iowa State players praise comments of AD Pollard

STILLWATER, Okla. - As Iowa State Athletics Director Jamie Pollard awaits word from the Big 12 offices of any forthcoming penalty, apology or both in response to his postgame criticism of league officials after the Cyclones' 37-20 loss to No. 23 Oklahoma State Saturday in Stillwater (Okla.), his actions definitely earned the appreciation of both his coach and the team.

'As an athlete at Iowa State, it just means a lot,” middle linebacker Jevohn Miller said after the game. 'It shows that they have our backs. It's nice to know our athletic director is right there behind us, going in and talking about it.”

Officials initially ruled Miller - a senior who prepped at BGM - stood up Oklahoma State tailback Desmond Roland short of the goal line as time expired in the first half with the game tied at 6-6. The call was overturned despite multiple replays which failed to conclusively show - which the NCAA rule book mandates as a condition of overrule - the ball reaching the goal line.

Mike Pereira, a former Vice President of Officiating for the National Football League who served as in-studio rules analyst during the Fox Sports 1 television broadcast, stated after the game:

'I wouldn't have reversed it, though I think it might have been a touchdown based upon one of the replays I saw. But I don't think it was enough to overturn.”

Although the play represented a significant shift in momentum for the Cowboys, Iowa State players and coaches placed more blame for the loss on their lack of execution in the second half, one in which they were outscored by the Cowboys, 24-7, until a Sam Richardson touchdown pass to E.J. Bibbs with just 50 seconds left.

'I don't think that's the difference in the ball game,” Richardson said. 'We shot ourselves in the foot a couple too many times on offense. We didn't capitalize, and I think that's what it comes down to.”

Nevertheless, Pollard felt it necessary to speak out when, for the third time in the last 14 Iowa State football games, Big 12 officiating became a hot topic.

Following Iowa State's loss to Kansas State Sept. 6 at Jack Trice Stadium, the conference suspended both the replay official and replay communicator for a game when a disputed play was not reviewed.

Last season, Iowa State began a seven-game tailspin following a non-fumble call which allowed Texas an extra crack at the end zone in the Longhorns' 31-30 win in Ames.

'I felt it was appropriate to stand up here right now and stand behind our team, and stand behind our coaching staff,” Pollard said. 'And I recognize that the Big 12 does not allow comments to be made on officiating, and I recognize there's penalties for that. But folks, our institution's been penalized already.”

Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads, who made national news last season with his postgame tirade after the Texas loss, was quick to express his admiration and appreciation for Pollard's efforts.

'You all wish you were as fortunate as me to have a boss like that,” Rhoads said. 'That stands up for your football program, for your athletic department, for the coaching staff that he's hired. I am blessed, I am privileged to have a boss like that.”

Whether the league's response is penalty, apology or both, it's clear Iowa State is looking for action from commissioner Bob Bowlsby.

'Apologies are no good,” Rhoads said. 'Apologies don't bring back the outcome of what just took place.”