Editor’s note: First of a two-part conversation with Utah athletic director Mark Harlan.
In one of his first interviews since his postgame comments following the BYU-Utah football game, Utah athletic director Mark Harlan addressed his actions the night of Nov. 9 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, including his apologies to BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe, BYU football coach Kalani Sitake and Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark.
Harlan made headlines following Utah’s 22-21 loss to then-No. 9 BYU after going onto the field postgame to confront the referees, then heading to the postgame media pulpit.
Much of the controversy stemmed from the game’s ending and a timeout call and defensive holding call that extended the Cougars’ final drive that ultimately led to a game-winning field goal.
Replays — especially fan-shot videos on social media (ESPN had just one replay of the called hold from a zoomed-out angle) would confirm that the referees made the right call on the defensive holding sequence, but in the heat of the moment, Harlan stepped into the press conference room and delivered a 30-second soundbite that became the latest chapter in the storied rivalry.