[Lefty Noob]

According to AP reports, Gordon Riese, the official whose blown replay call in the Oklahoma - Oregon game has sparked a national controversy, has taken a leave of absence for the rest of the season.

"Gordon Riese had a distinguished 28-year career as a Pac-10 official and, with the exception of Saturday, had done a fine job as a replay official," Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen told reporters on Wednesday. "He is an individual with impeccable officiating credentials and unquestioned integrity. We look forward to his return next season."

What a sad story this has become. Riese has been an official for nearly three decades, and he missed 1 call and all of this happens. The football program in Norman, including any of the obsessed fans who sent the poor guy death threats, and the entire University should be embarrassed with they have handled this situation. They could've been classy, pointed to their own missed opportunities, and downplayed the officiating controversy to the media (regardless of how they really felt), but instead they continue to point fingers, blame this guy, and keep the national spotlight on him because he made a perfectly human error. Disgraceful.

I rarely root for or against teams in college football, but right now I'm a fan of whoever winds up playing the Sooners.

[cjg11582]

Like I needed anymore reason to dislike Oklahoma.

[AZAggie]

I don't think there is any place in sports for death threats, however, I am not upset that this guy is not officiating again this year. I have heard no reasonable excuse for his blowing that replay call, probably because there is none.

Again, OU lost. Had they handled the blown calls better they still could have won. I think the coach and team has put the loss behind them, however the fans haven't and won't for a long while. I am sure that had the shoe been on the other foot, we would be dealing with the same sort of issues from the fans at Oregon. People are passionate about their sports, sometimes too much so.