Big Ten admits officials misplaced ball on Oregon's late two-point try vs. UCLA

The Big Ten has acknowledged that its officiating crew made a mistake on Oregon's final two-point conversion attempt late in Saturday's game against UCLA. The ball was spotted farther from the goal line than the rules allow, and the Ducks did not convert.

The Big Lead reported that the play came after an Oregon touchdown made the score 17-15 with 2:16 left in the fourth quarter. The Ducks went for two and were stopped, but UCLA was flagged for a facemask on the play, so Oregon got another try. Officials put the ball at the 1.5-yard line for the second attempt, and that one failed too.

In a statement posted by the conference, the Big Ten said the crew applied the penalty yardage from the wrong place. Officials measured half the distance to the goal from the original line of scrimmage. Under the rule, they should have measured it from where the runner was stopped on the first attempt. According to The Big Lead, that would have put the ball at the half-yard line, a full yard closer than where Oregon actually snapped it. The conference said it "has been in contact with its officiating team" about the error and will keep emphasizing consistent application of the rules.

The statement doesn't change the result. It does confirm what Oregon fans saw on the broadcast: the Ducks' last chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter came from a longer distance than it should have. Oregon is now 3-2 and has dropped out of the early-season contender conversation. A one-yard difference on a single snap is not a guarantee of anything, but the play will follow this game, especially for a team that has little room left in the Big Ten race.

UCLA came into the week at 5-0 and ranked No. 21, and the trip to Autzen Stadium was its biggest test so far. The Bruins' result will be remembered partly for the officials' mistake.

Both teams play again on Oct. 17. Oregon hosts Nebraska at 3:30 p.m. ET, and the Ducks are 7.5-point favorites (odds page). On Novig, one of the venues pricing the game, Oregon is favored at -251, and the best sportsbook price on the Ducks is -250 at theScore Bet. The total is 52.5. After two losses, Oregon is still a clear favorite at home, but it needs a win to keep its Big Ten hopes alive.

UCLA hosts Wisconsin the same day as a 3.5-point favorite (odds page). The Bruins are favored at -150 on Novig, and the best sportsbook number is -155 at theScore Bet, with a total of 46.5. That's a tighter line than UCLA's unbeaten start might suggest. Both teams' results are likely to be talked about alongside one officiating decision for a while.