The Big 12 Conference has removed an officiating crew from its next assignment after the crew made an error during Saturday's matchup between Kansas and Missouri.
The crew is being punished after it allowed a punt to occur on a free kick.
“We believe we have one of the best officiating programs in college football,” said Scott Draper, the Big 12’s chief football and competition officer, in a press release. “When the Conference’s high standard for officiating is not met, the Big 12 will take action.”
During Saturday's game Mizzou had a 6-0 lead on a 32-yard touchdown, but center Connor Tollison received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play. As a result of the penalty, Mizzou was forced to kick from its 20-yard line.
The Tigers were playing without their kicker Blake Craig due to injury, so Mizzou brought out Connor Weselman and him punt the ball rather than kicking from a tee. His punt wen 51 yards and was returned nine yards by KU tight end Carson Bruhn.
According KUsport.com, the Big 12 cited in its announcement, Rule 2, Section 16, Article 6, a kickoff must be either a place kick (as it usually is) or a drop kick. A drop kick is different from a punt; it is defined as “a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as it touches the ground.” Punting is allowed on a free kick when one takes place after a safety.
The Tigers could have been assessed a 5-yard penalty for an illegal kick. NCAA rules mandate a penalty when “the ball is kicked while teed illegally, punted on a kickoff or kicked from a spot between the hash mark and the nearer sideline.”
“We just wanted to see if we could,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz told reporters on Tuesday. “You know, it’s like asking your parents if you can do something that you know they probably shouldn’t let you do, but sometimes they get it wrong.”
