Big 12 officials supervisor says no major problems in Texas-OSU game

Big 12 supervisor of football officials Walt Anderson said there "a few mistakes" made in the Texas-Oklahoma State game on Saturday, but overall he was "pleased" with the officiating.

Texas was called for 16 penalties, including three key flags on Oklahoma State's game-tying drive within the final two minutes of the game. The Cowboys tied it and then won the game, 30-27, after a muffed punt snap gave the ball back to Oklahoma State in field-goal range.

Strong drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the second of consecutive flags, one for pass interference and then defensive holding on a run play, of which Strong later said he had never heard of defensive holding on a run play.

"There were a lot of things that did happen in the game," Anderson told the Dallas Morning News on Monday evening after reviewing the game. "It was a tough game to work from an officiating standpoint. Overall, I was pleased with the way the guys worked. There were a few mistakes -- and I emphasize a few -- and you want to learn from them."

Anderson did not identify what those few mistakes were in a conversation Dallas Morning News reporter Chuck Carlton, however he did address two controversial calls. From Carlton:

• The defensive holding on Texas' Poona Ford: Replays showed Ford being pushed by two Oklahoma State linemen on a run play. Anderson said defensive holding has become more prevalent and the standard is "a visible material restriction."

• The unsportsmanlike penalty on Strong after the Ford penalty: Anderson said the call was clearly not for any contact with the official, although the flag came immediately afterward. He said coaches on the field has become a point of emphasis and officials are told to walk offenders to the sideline.

(h/t Dallas Morning News)