Sarkisian wanted timeout on strange TD catch

Nov 10, 2009, 12:00 AM

Steve Sarkisian has to be getting tired of second-guessing himself on Mondays. But that was the UW head coach's task again yesterday as he explained why he chose not to call a timeout following a controversial touchdown catch made by Bruins receiver Terrance Austin in UCLA's 24-23 win on Saturday. Austin bobbled the ball before eventually controlling it in the end zone, and some thought that replays showed the ball hitting the ground. But there was no review called for from the booth - which reviews every play and then determines whether play should be stopped to take a closer look - and Sarkisian chose not to call a timeout to give them a little more time to consider it. He said yesterday he tried to get a timeout called just before UCLA kicked the extra point but couldn't get it done in time. And he thought the play was going to be reviewed, anyway, due to the controversial nature of the play. "As I was watching it unfold, my assumption is that the play is going to get reviewed," Sarkisian said. "It's a tight ball game, I didn't want to have to use a timeout if I didn't need to. But as it went to unfold, as they were getting ready to kick their extra point, I attempt to go down the sidelines and get a timeout, and I'm not able to get it done. So how, when and if that thing got reviewed, I don't know if they were able to get it done that quick. I'd be surprised if they were able to." Sarkisian said he doesn't know if there was conclusive video evidence to overturn the call. And for what it's worth, Dave Cutaia, the Pac-10 coordinator for officiating, told The Seattle Times yesterday that everything was handled correctly on the play and that there wasn't conclusive evidence to even warrant an official review. NOT IN THE ZONE This just in: The Huskies still can't score in the red zone. They tried four field goals against UCLA after moving the ball inside the 20-yard line, a recurring theme in a season that has seen UW move the ball pretty effectively between the 20s. But once they get to that point, it's a different story, even though the statistics don't necessarily show the inconsistency. The Huskies are fifth in the conference in red-zone scoring, converting 27 of their 32 tries. But only 15 of those have been touchdowns, and they've tried 13 field goals inside the 20-yard line - tied for most in the conference with UCLA. "I think it goes back to just in those critical situations, the strengths down there," UW quarterback Jake Locker said. "Things move faster, and they don't have as much area to cover, and I think we need to look at ourselves and focus in on our execution and make sure that all 11 of us guys are doing what they're asked to do on every play. I think as soon as we're able to do that consistently, we'll start having a lot more success down there." Locker said there's no feeling of "here we go again" once the Huskies move the ball closer to the end zone. They just have to find a way to move the ball across the goal line. "I don't think it's an issue of confidence at all," Locker said. "I think it's just that we need to understand when we get in the red zone, our focus needs to heighten. Our knowledge of our assignment needs to be that much better." Reach Sports Editor Christian Caple at sports@dailyuw.com.

Stay up to Date

Subscribe to our weekly newsletters covering the news, arts, and sports.

Sarkisian wanted timeout on strange TD catch

Disruptor interrupts Psych 210, professor and students chase man on to Red Square

2025 Seattle and King County primary election endorsements

UW mechanical engineering students are now required to pay $250 quarterly fee to participate in department-affiliated RSOs

College Inn Pub reopens under new ownership