Drive continues for neutral officials

Home cooking. That's what Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops thought his team was a victim of when it lost to Oregon two weeks ago.

Stoops was upset with the Pac-10 officiating crew. He believed several calls were missed, including an onside kick that Oregon touched before it went 10 yards. Oregon went on to win 34-33 in the final minutes.

The call resulted in the Pac-10 game officials being suspended for a week, and the veteran Pac-10 replay official in the booth fired for the rest of the year. That official also asked for a leave of absence. The Pac-10 has a policy where Pac-10 officials work in Pac-10 stadiums.

In the last two weeks, there has been a lot of talk about a national pool of officials for nonconference games. Bowl games are already handled by neutral crews.

Karl Benson, the WAC commissioner, said he suggested neutral crews three or four years ago, but that the proposal didn't get off the ground. Now, however, it's a hot topic.

Benson said the WAC doesn't have a policy like the Pac-10. He said officiating is handled between the schools involved.

"Neutral officials for nonconference may be the way to go," said Benson. "You would have to establish a pay structure (some conferences pay more than others)."

Benson said one of the things that came up in a recent discussion is what to do when you have non-conference games going, but you also have conference games on the same weekend.

Stoops and the Big 12 are obviously upset at the Oregon game, and it could threaten future games with the Pac-10.

Benson said this isn't the first time it's happened.

"The Big Ten objected to using WAC officials when they played in Hawai'i," Benson said. "Look back at the Hawai'i-Wisconsin game last year, and the Pac-10 worked that game at the request of the Big Ten."

HELLISH TRIP

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Hawai'i's football team this weekend.

The Rainbow Warriors turned the ball over four times and lost a 41-34 decision to Boise State, and then their charter plane had mechanical difficulties.

"We were supposed to leave between 10:30 and 11 p.m.," Hawai'i coach June Jones said. "The charter had problems, and we stayed at the airport until 6 a.m. and then went back to the hotel (Holiday Inn). We got out at about 2 p.m. (Sunday). We got back to Honolulu at 4:30 p.m.

"Everybody played their hearts out and then we had to sit around the airport for six or seven hours."

To make matters worse, all of the eating establishments at the small airport had shut down, so the players couldn't even buy food or drinks.

Jones said the delay put his team behind a day in its preparation for Saturday's home game against Eastern Illinois. Jones said he gave the players Monday off to catch up on their sleep.

TROUBLE AT UTAH STATE

The 2006 season is only four weeks old, and already it has been one big headache for coach Brent Guy.

The Aggies' offense lost wide receiver Tony Pennyman two weeks ago for a repeat violation of team rules, and on Monday offensive coordinator Mike Santiago resigned.

"Due to philosophical differences I am resigning as offensive coordinator," Santiago said in a prepared statement. "I would like to take the time to say how much I respect the work, leadership and especially the friendship of (athletic director) Randy Spetman."

"We wish Mike and his family the best in the future," Guy said. "This is a tough situation for all parties involved."

Santiago's spot will be taken by Greg Stevens, who coached with Santiago at Steven F. Austin before coming to Utah State.

Utah State's offense hadn't scored a point in four games and ranks last in the country both in total offense (179 yards a game) and scoring (1.75 points per game). Utah State's only score all year came on an interception return against Wyoming.

A year ago, Utah State averaged 317 yards a game, and seven starters returned from that group.

Guy played three quarterbacks in Saturday's 38-0 loss to BYU, and said he is exploring all options.

The one bit of good news is that Guy hopes to have pass-rushing specialist Ryan Taylor back midway through the WAC schedule.

NO BCS TALK PLEASE

Boise State is 4-0 and ranked 22nd in most polls, but first-year head coach Chris Petersen doesn't get caught up much in that kind of hype.

With its fast start, the Broncos are trying to become the second non-BCS school to get an invite to a BCS game, following in the footsteps of Utah.

"I think it's great programs like ours can get into a BCS game," Petersen said. "It has very little to do with anything we do around here.

"We've only played four games. There are so many more hurdles to get over before we can start thinking about that. You start talking about that, and it's a recipe for disaster."

WAC HONOREES

Boise State running back Ian Johnson, Nevada cornerback Joe Garcia and San Jose State punt returner James Jones were honored as the conference's players of the week.

Johnson broke the 100-yard barrier for the third straight game, rushing 29 times for 178 yards and two scores in the 41-34 win over Hawai'i.

Jones returned three punts for 70 yards in the Spartans' 17-7 win over Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.

"On offense, he's one of the leading receivers in the nation," SJSU coach Dick Tomey said. "We asked him to return punts because Dwight Lowery had an injury. He (Jones) had a big return for us. He did a terrific job. He was a big factor in the football game."

Garcia had two interceptions, including a game-clinching 24-yarder that he returned for a score in the Pack's 31-21 win over Northwestern.

"The first series they hit one over him for a TD," Nevada coach Chris Ault said. "From that point he shut them (Northwestern receivers) down. He had two interceptions, including the big one in the fourth quarter. He played very well."

LAST LINE OF DEFENSE

Louisiana Tech is coming off a 45-14 loss to Texas A & M, and Tech coach Jack Bicknell faces another tough road game at Clemson this week before starting conference play in October.

Bicknell is disappointed with the play of his secondary thus far. The group has given up several big plays.

"The games against Nebraska and A & M look one-sided, yet they were tight games except for a few plays," Bicknell said. "It's not all the defensive backfield's fault. We're not getting a pass rush.

"We are young back there (in the secondary). I've got a running back playing cornerback (Weldon Brown) and a running back (Mark Dillard) playing safety. I also have a true freshman at safety. There are some play-action issues we have to take care of."

NO MORE OLD HOME WEEKS

For only the second time all season, Idaho coach Dennis Erickson isn't leading his team into a game against a former school (Washington State and Oregon State) or an old friend (John L. Smith at Michigan State).

"It was getting old," said Erickson, who leads the Vandals into their WAC opener against Utah State. "The last one (Oregon State) was the most difficult. To see the new stadium we helped build ... it was difficult. I just want to get back to coaching football and get ready to go."

Erickson was steamed at his offense after last week's loss to Oregon State.

"We played poorly on offense," he said. "We turned the ball over six times. When you do that you have no chance to win.

"We've got to be able to run the ball with success. We're looking at a number of different things from the offensive line to the quarterback to the running backs and to the receivers."

Steve Wichman struggled, and was replaced by Brian Nooy.

"I thought we needed a spark," Erickson said. "Steve wasn't playing real well. Brian did move the ball (a little)."

Erickson said he'll look at the quarterback situation this week, and the veteran coach said he will have Nooy ready and available.

FSU A ROLE MODEL

Fresno State has carried the torch for mid-major programs in terms of playing BCS schools.

A Colorado reporter asked what was wrong with the Bulldogs, who are 1-2 this year.

"We're not playing teams like Duke and Indiana," Hill said, referring to two of the weaker Division I teams in the country.

The coach pointed out that Fresno State lost to Oregon and Washington this year and USC last year by a total of 16 points.

"We play at a very high level," Hill said. "When we play these games, it's not rest time for the opposition."

•Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1281