Virginia Tech Football: Fans react to official’s absurd reviews vs. Wake
By Scott Roche
![Aug 29, 2019; Clemson, SC, USA; A flag lays on the field after being thrown by an official during the game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Clemson Tigers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports Aug 29, 2019; Clemson, SC, USA; A flag lays on the field after being thrown by an official during the game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Clemson Tigers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/996a072497e310a111a57e3c3d1ce62b3b7a996d2514385864908dc2236008ec.jpg)
It was not the best first half for the ACC officiating crew in Blacksburg on Saturday when Virginia Tech hosted Wake Forest. Not to sound like LeBron James, but there was not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, but SIX reviews in the opening 30 minutes.
Talk about taking any flow the game had and causing it to come to a crashing halt. There was one review on each team’s opening drive, a third-down completion for Virginia Tech from quarterback Kyron Drones to Da’Quan Felton for 8 yards was ruled short of the first down marker by a yard and it was reviewed for the spot, but the call stood.
On Wake Forest’s first possession, quarterback Mitch Griffis connected with Justice Ellison and was ruled a first down, but was overturned on review and ruled the Demon Deacons were short and were forced to punt.
In the second quarter, Bhayshul Tuten took a handoff from Drones and was ruled down at the 1-yard line, but a review overturned the ball and ruled he broke the goal line while he was on top of a defender for a 7-0 Hokies lead.
On the ensuing Wake Forest drive, there was a review on Virginia Tech’s Dorian Strong for potential targeting on a tackle he made, but it was ruled not to be targeting.
The reviews were still not done.
On the ensuing Hokies drive, there was a review for targeting when Wake’s Kevin Pointer hit Drones after throwing the ball, but it was ruled not to be targeting. It’s safe to say that social media went crazy over the number of reviews.
There are too many reviews in the ACC. Kills the flow of the game
— Treadmill Horse (@treadmillhorse) October 14, 2023
“No foul for targeting - we just really enjoy stopping the flow of the game to give our terrible network more advertising time”
— օ×ѵէ (@OX_VT) October 14, 2023
These refs HAVE to be getting paid hourly 😭😂
— Pryme Time (@PrymeFootball) October 14, 2023
I don't think I've ever seen such a timid officiating crew that readily allows every attempt at second-guessing and calls for reviews. See the play, make the call and get it right the first time...
— DullesDistrict.Com (@DullesDistrict) October 14, 2023
It’s safe to say that fans were not happening with the amount of reviews and who can blame them? It ruined the flow and the good news, if any, is that the ACC Network was finished with their commercial break for the first half with just 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
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