On a chilled November 9th football game, with the LED-lit fourth quarter clock drained to zero and the final whistle blew on the 2024 edition of the BYU-Utah rivalry meeting, one final loose end remained unaddressed in the form of a yellow handkerchief laying near the sideline.
Unsportsmanlike conduct, the call. Leader of Utah's athletic department, the culprit.
With cement sneakers pressing the field on his laser-focused route to the referee crew, athletic director Mark Harlan had prematurely stormed the field. Not in celebration, but in an effort to complete his journey from the press box onto the field of play.
A penalty called against the Crimson defense saved BYU on what seemed a hopeless drive sparked controversy among onlookers. Utah believed the game to be officiated in their rival's favor under the lights of Rice-Eccles Stadium. Numerous fan-documented angles of the decisive play later confirmed the officiating to be correct.
Hindsight was no resource for the steaming rage on Utah's sideline that night.
Irate enough to unironically wag his finger and deliver a rage-stoked rant from the media stand, Harlan emphatically declared his indignation at the result of the game, citing unprofessional officiating and a notable distaste for the Utes' new home in the Big 12 for the 22-21 final score.
"This game was absolutely stolen from us," Harlan announced for the awaiting press coverage. "We were excited about being in the Big 12, but tonight, I am not. We won this game. Someone else stole it from us. Very disappointed. I will talk to (Brett Yormark) the commissioner. This was not fair to our team. I’m disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight."
A $40,000 fine and 60 months of hindsight later, Harlan broke his silence in an interview with Deseret News.
"What some may say in a high-pressure moment should not define a legacy..."
"I felt like it took away from their victory and the hard-earned victory of those student-athletes in that program," released Harlan. "Bringing the Big 12 and diminishing our participation in the Big 12 was, in my view, inappropriate. [...] I don’t want at all anyone to think that Utah’s participation in the Big 12 isn’t something that we’re proud of and frankly, we’re honored to be competing"
This apology draws many parallels to running back Jaylon Glover's public statement and online rescinding of a poorly-framed opinion to the media. Likewise, what some may say in a high-pressure moment should not define a legacy, and Harlan's apology looks to mend the gaps between the Holy War participants.
"You learn and grow as I ask our student-athletes and staff to do in these situations. I was not a great example of that, but certainly I feel that I have learned from it and look forward to continuing this great rivalry in the right way.”
The on-field product of the inaugural Big 12 edition Holy War was spectacular, but overshadowed by a fit of misjudgment.