Pac-10 officials address USC-Stanford clock management


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It won’t change the outcome of the game, but USC fans can take some solace knowing the Pac-10 conference investigated the clock management during the team’s 37-35 loss at Stanford.

Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott confirmed yesterday that he addressed errors made by the clock operator, who worked for the Cardinal. USC coach Lane Kiffin complained to conference officials about several questionable calls, including the clock operator’s decision not to start the clock after the Trojans picked up a first down late in the game.

“The clock is supposed to start,” Kiffin said. “We huddled up to take our time. We were even faking audibles. They never started the clock.”

After USC went ahead by one point, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck drove his team down the field for the game-winning field goal.

“There were absolutely mistakes made,” Scott said. “We’ve dealt with it with the school.”

Scott said game officials were also investigated for not making the clock operator start the clock.

The conference recently hired Mike Pereira, former vice president of officiating for the NFL, as an adviser to help improve officiating in the conference.

“I view officiating as a critically important function,” Scott said.