Big Ten admits officials botched Oregon's tying 2-point try in 17-15 loss to UCLA

The Big Ten has admitted that its officials put the ball in the wrong spot on Oregon's game-tying 2-point attempt in the closing minutes of Saturday's 17-15 loss to No. 21 UCLA. On the second try, the Ducks should have snapped from the half-yard line. They snapped from the 1.5.

On3 reported that the sequence began with 2:16 left in the fourth quarter. Oregon had just scored to cut the lead to 17-15. On the first conversion try, the Ducks got the ball to about the 1-yard line, and officials flagged UCLA for a facemask. The crew then marked off half the distance to the goal from the original 3-yard line rather than from where the run ended. UCLA stopped the next run short. The conference's statement acknowledged the mistake: "Per rule, the ball should have been spotted half-the-distance to the goal from the end of the run of the first attempt." The Big Ten added that it has been in contact with the crew. On3 noted that Oregon coach Dan Lanning reacted strongly on the sideline when it happened.

Oregon still got one more chance. The Ducks forced a three-and-out, but their final drive ended in a string of laterals and a fumble that UCLA recovered. Yahoo Sports pointed out that the Ducks hurt themselves plenty. Counting that last play, they committed seven turnovers. Lanning also went for two after Oregon's first touchdown and missed, leaving the Ducks up 6-3 instead of 7-3. Two routine extra points would have had the game tied at 17 just before the two-minute warning.

This is at least the third Big Ten officiating error to draw attention this season. Yahoo Sports listed the second added back to the clock before Michigan's game-winning Hail Mary against Western Michigan in Week 1. It also cited Week 5, when Nebraska was not allowed to retry a missed extra point after a Maryland penalty.

The result matters a lot for Oregon. The No. 13 Ducks are now 3-2 and may have to win out to stay in the College Football Playoff picture, according to Yahoo Sports, and a game against No. 4 Ohio State is still on the schedule. Oregon also has a quarterback question. Dylan Raiola started but was benched after going 6-for-19 for 43 yards with two interceptions. Brock Thomas replaced him and completed 11 of 15 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, per On3.

Next up, Oregon hosts Nebraska at Autzen Stadium on Saturday night. Oregon is a -245 favorite on Novig, one of the venues pricing the game, with the total at 52.5. The best sportsbook price on the Ducks is -230 at theScore Bet. Full prices are on our Nebraska at Oregon page.

UCLA is 5-0 under first-year coach Bob Chesney. Wayne Knight ran 22 times for 103 yards and a touchdown and also caught what turned out to be the winning score. The Bruins lost quarterback Nico Iamaleava to an injury, and Ty Dieffenbach played the second half. UCLA hosts Wisconsin as a -163 favorite on Novig, with a 3.5-point spread and a total of 46.5. The best sportsbook price on the Bruins is -155 at theScore Bet. Full prices are on our Wisconsin at UCLA page.