Eagles take last second loss to Vandals

MOSCOW, Idaho — The Idaho Vandals shocked the No. 12-ranked Eastern Washington Eagles in Big Sky football action Saturday evening, scoring the winning touchdown with 54 seconds left in the game.

The Eastern loss came with a fourth-quarter field goal that officials missed.

With the score tied at 21, Eastern kicker Seth Harrison booted a 24-yarder through the uprights; the ball hit the score clock.

But the Big Sky Conference official missed the called because he may have been adjusting a mask required due to the coronavirus. The replay booth also missed the call because of a bad camera angle that cut off the tops of the uprights.

The field goal would have given the Eagles a 24-21 lead with about 11 minutes left in the game.

On Sunday, the Big Sky Conference released a statement on the missed field goal controversy after reviewing additional video:

"The physical setup of the scoreboard and catwalk directly adjacent to the uprights in this endzone of the Kibbie Dome create unique circumstances when determining whether a kick is good," the statement said. "In light of these circumstances, the Big Sky is evaluating the mechanics of where officials are located during a field goal or extra point attempt to be positioned better to evaluate these types of plays."

Throughout the game, the Eagles took the lead, only to see the Vandals tie the score.

At the end of the first quarter, Eastern led 7-0. Idaho tied it up early in the second quarter.

Both the Eagles and Vandals would score again in the quarter; the score was tied at 14 at the half.

In the third quarter, Eastern again scored and Idaho tied it up.

In the fourth quarter, the Eagles should’ve been credited for the field goal officials missed. But the score remain tied at 21 for the next 10 minutes.

Eastern Washington couldn’t score on its last possession.