UNC Football: Well, you simply can’t beat the referees

Egregious officiating played a major role in costing the UNC football program a fair chance to knock off Clemson on Saturday afternoon.

Before my rant begins, let me just start by saying this: Yes, there were things that the UNC football program could’ve done better to win this football game.

However, a string of officiating in favor of Clemson dictated the outcome of the game and is yet another reminder of how bad ACC officiating has been.

Let’s start with the fact that North Carolina had a chance to be up 21-0 in this game. Sophomore running back Omarion Hampton, who hasn’t fumbled all season long, fumbled in the red zone, costing the Tar Heels the opportunity to go up early.

After a JJ Jones score, Hampton would respond by ripping off a long run that appeared to be good enough for a Tar Heels touchdown. However, just before Hampton crossed the goal line, a Clemson defender, who was out of bounds and did not establish position within the field of play, knocked the ball out, which was ruled as a touchback and Clemson football.

Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but based on every other sideline and out-of-bounds rule in football, I’m pretty certain that should’ve been called an illegal touching penalty on the Tigers.

Of course, that “fumble” resulted in a Clemson touchdown.

Just before the half, with the score tied at 7, Clemson Quarterback Cade Klubnik scrambled near the end zone. Clearly short of the goal line by everyone other than the officiating and broadcast team (who was horrible in their own right), Klubnik was ruled to be in for a score, even after the play was reviewed.

Let’s not forget that during that drive, North Carolina got hit with two brutal penalties: one on Don Chapman for essentially tackling a Clemson receiver and a personal foul call on Cedric Gray after he hit Klubnik shortly after he threw the ball away.

Those penalties, and the referees’ decision on the goal line, led to Clemson taking a lead into the half, which changed the whole complexion of the game.

The calls would continue to go in Clemson’s favor, and non-calls (such as the Tigers offensive lineman poking Cedric Gray in the eye on a clear personal foul, hands to the face penalty) dictated the rest of the game.

What’s frustrating about it all is this: North Carolina was outplaying the Clemson Tigers on their home field. If it wasn’t for some awful calls going against them, the outcome of this game felt like it was bound to be much different.

The sad thing is: it isn’t even just this game. Ask Duke, who probably has some gripe regarding the Bryson Nesbit catch a week ago (yes, we know it’s not just North Carolina).

Referees are humans too; we get that. However, college sporting events should not feel as if the “fix is in” for one side to come out victorious. If the people in charge of calling the game can’t do so fairly, then it’s time for a serious change in how contests are officiated.

For the UNC football program, this is a game that should frustrate you on so many levels heading into the final week of the college football regular season.

Follow us @KeepingItHeel on X (formerly Twitter) and like our fan page on Facebook for continued coverage of UNC football news, updates, and recruiting.