[Husker] question about pitt game

[Pat Gaule]

T.B. wrote:

>i just finished watching a taped version of the pitt game and was wondering
>why intentional grounding wasn't called on that botched field goal attempt
>at the end of the game.
>
>it didn't look like there was any sort of receiver in the area, and the
>player who threw the ball didn't seem to be outside of the tackles.
>
>anyone?
>  
>
Chalk it up to the refs seeing something they're not used to, and 
turning off their brains.  It's similar to the 49ers/Giants playoff game 
in 2002, where a similar botched field goal turned into a last-ditch 
pass, and in all the commotion, the refs missed a pass interference 
call.  The NFL even admitted a mistake had been made - 
http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs02/s/2003/0106/1487933.html.

In fairness, my intial reaction after the first field goal attempt 
failed was "we won."  When teams only ever seem to kick field goals on 
4th down or when time is running out, you don't see too many teams get a 
second chance.  But at the same time, this is clearly a play that should 
have been reviewed for a couple reasons:

1.)  To see if there was an eligible receiver within striking distance 
of that pass.
2.)  To see if there was actually 1 second left on the clock (I've heard 
from many people that time should have run out, although I have yet to 
see the video since I was at the game)

With such a bizzare play, I can understand missing both calls the first 
time around.  However, neglecting to use instant replay to get it right 
defeats the entire purpose of implementing such a system.