There was a fair bit of drama in the Boise State-Oregon game, as fans argued that officials missed a brutal late penalty that could’ve helped Boise State complete a huge upset.
Boise State came in as massive underdogs against the Ducks, but they had Oregon on the ropes all afternoon and deep into the game.
Controversial No-Call Adds to Boise State’s Heartbreak
Down 34-27 and trying to make a push to tie the game or even take the lead possibly, Boise State fans argued that the officials missed a clear personal foul when an Oregon defender struck the quarterback in the face.
Now, fans and the college football world are questioning how the officials could’ve missed such an obvious penalty in such a big moment.
One college football fan took to X to say, “Oregon DE Wyatt just takes a cast-club and punches the Boise State quarterback in the facemask right in front of the referee… No flag.”
Oregon DE Wyatt just takes a cast-club and punches the Boise State quarterback in the facemask right in front of the referee… No flag.
— Gym Nagy (@BackcountryFam) September 5, 2026
A flag on the play would have given the Broncos a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down, improving their field position on the potential game-tying drive.
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Another football fan on X said, “Refs just couldn’t pull the flag when Oregon defender hit QB in the facemask. Critical non-call.”
Refs just couldn’t pull the flag when Oregon defender hit QB in the facemask. Critical non-call
— 99th Percentile Dick (@99thpercentdick) September 5, 2026
A critical no-call for sure, as the Ducks barely get by against a Group of Six team they probably should’ve handled much more easily.
As a result, fans flooded X with reactions, and one said, ”Brutal no-call there for Boise State. Not sure how you miss a club to the facemask of the QB.“
Brutal no call there for Boise State. Not sure how you miss a club to the facemask of the QB.
— E (@TheodenKing58) September 5, 2026
No one is saying one call necessarily makes or breaks a game, but a call like this has massive implications for a team like the Broncos. Going into Autzen Stadium and pulling off an upset this big would’ve been huge for Boise State.
It’s a heartbreaking result for the Group of Six hopeful, especially since PFN’s Playoff Impact Meter currently gives Boise State the best odds among G6 teams to reach the College Football Playoff in December.
Despite the loss, Boise State proved to everyone that they belong. The Broncos went toe-to-toe with Goliath in Week 1 and showed they could be a team to watch throughout the rest of the season.
