Big Ten acknowledges error on Oregon’s late conversion attempt

The Big Ten said officials incorrectly spotted Oregon’s second two-point conversion attempt late in its 17-15 loss to UCLA, giving the Ducks a less favorable position than the rules required. The play came with 2:16 remaining in the fourth quarter on Saturday, October 10. Oregon had drawn within two points on a 44-yard touchdown pass from Brock Thomas to Evan Stewart. Thomas then tried to run for a two-point conversion but was stopped short, and UCLA was penalized for facemask. Oregon received another attempt, but the officials placed the ball half the distance to the goal from the original line of scrimmage, rather than from the end of Thomas’ run, the conference said. On the second try, Oregon running back Jordon Davison was stopped short. The Big Ten said the ball should have been spotted half the distance to the goal from where the first run ended. One report described the correct placement as less than half a yard from the goal line, while another put it at about half a yard. The erroneous spot was reported as roughly 1½ yards from the goal line. The conference said it had contacted the officiating crew and would continue to emphasize consistent application of the rules.