[Hank 91]

I know that it doesn't matter, and I know that the turnover streak doesn't even really matter in the grand scheme of things, but that third quarter fumble-that-wasn't still bothers me. Here's what I wrote about it:

There was an odd sequence during this possession that must be mentioned. On first down at the Stanford 33, ASU tailback Deantre Lewis fumbled, and there was an immediate scramble for the ball. After the officials untangled the bodies, the referee emerged from the pile and made an emphatic signal in Stanford's direction. The defense raced off the field in triumph, but a few seconds later -- probably thirty seconds after the initial signal -- the officials changed their minds and gave the ball back to the Sun Devils. ESPN commentator Brad Nessler speculated that perhaps the official had just pointed in the wrong direction, but this makes no sense. If he had thought ASU had retained possession, he wouldn't have pointed in either direction, he simply would've held up two fingers to indicate second down. The replay offered no clarity, as the last shot we saw was Mauro lying on top of the ball. It didn't really matter, except that it was the closest the Stanford defense would get to a turnover; their school-record streak is now over.

Did it look any different to those who were there in the stadium?

The only thing I can think is that maybe the official lost track of who actually had the ball to begin with AND pointed the wrong direction. That's the only explanation that makes sense.

[Hank 91]

I know that it doesn't matter, and I know that the turnover streak doesn't even really matter in the grand scheme of things, but that third quarter fumble-that-wasn't still bothers me. Here's what I wrote about it:

There was an odd sequence during this possession that must be mentioned. On first down at the Stanford 33, ASU tailback Deantre Lewis fumbled, and there was an immediate scramble for the ball. After the officials untangled the bodies, the referee emerged from the pile and made an emphatic signal in Stanford's direction. The defense raced off the field in triumph, but a few seconds later -- probably thirty seconds after the initial signal -- the officials changed their minds and gave the ball back to the Sun Devils. ESPN commentator Brad Nessler speculated that perhaps the official had just pointed in the wrong direction, but this makes no sense. If he had thought ASU had retained possession, he wouldn't have pointed in either direction, he simply would've held up two fingers to indicate second down. The replay offered no clarity, as the last shot we saw was Mauro lying on top of the ball. It didn't really matter, except that it was the closest the Stanford defense would get to a turnover; their school-record streak is now over.

Did it look any different to those who were there in the stadium?

The only thing I can think is that maybe the official lost track of who actually had the ball to begin with AND pointed the wrong direction. That's the only explanation that makes sense.