The last-second blow-by-blow that led to another Aggie win at Portland State (see videos)

Two extremely close calls that produced both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat

Yes, there was a bit of controversy at the end of Saturday afternoon's Big Sky football thriller between UC Davis and Portland State in the Portland suburb of Hillsboro.

There were actually two consecutive plays to end the game and both were controversial, the first dealing with the clock and the second with a disputed touchdown catch that gave the Aggies a 27-26 win over an inspired Vikings team looking for its first win of the season.

In fact, if the first ruling had gone the other way, time would have expired and there would not have been a second play.

The Aggies, trailing 26-21 with five seconds left, had the ball second-and-goal at the Portland State 9.

Quarterback Miles Hastings threw a quick pass toward the back of the end zone that C.J. Hutton nearly caught before the ball fell to the ground incomplete. Remember that phrase "fell to the ground."

If you looked at the clock, it had ticked down to 0:00 and seemingly the game was over.

Portland State players reacted with jubilation, ripping off their helmets and racing toward the team bench to embrace their teammates.

Aggie coach Tim Plough thought the game was over.

So did I.

But here's the problem. Unless you have a wandering eye, it's impossible to watch both the play and the clock at the same time.

We all watched the play, and only when the pass fell to the ground incomplete did we glance at the clock, which indeed indicated the game was over.

But the official in charge of these things immediately signalled that one second should be put back on the clock, the rule being that on a pass attempt, the clock keeps running until the ball hits the ground incomplete. Only then does the clock stop.

The television crew covering the game for ESPN+ openly questioned how the play could have taken fewer than five seconds and said the Aggies were being given an "extra play."

To his credit, UC Davis Chancellor Gary May, who was standing on the sideline near the play, immediately raised his index finger to indicate there was one second remaining. Maybe in his next go-round he can wear stripes and become a college football referee.

The clock official was so certain there was one second remaining that the play was not even reviewed. Turns out he was right and most of the rest of us in the stadium - with the exception of Chancellor May - were wrong.

You can watch the play here for yourself.

Note that the clock clearly says 0:01 when the ball first touches the ground. It's indisputable.

It's actually entirely likely there was only a fraction of a second left, but in the rules of football, 0:01 is 0:01. Period.

But wait, I hear a young voice at the back of the room wondering how the Aggies could have run the next play that resulted in the winning touchdown in just one second.

Well, the rule in football - and in most sports that rely on a clock - is if there is any time remaining when the play starts, the play counts, no matter how long it takes to be completed.

So, it's Aggie ball at the Portland State 9 with one second remaining.

PSU players reluctantly put their green-and-white Vikings helmets back on their heads and line up for one final defense of the goal line.

Are you ready for Controversy No. 2?

Hastings, the Aggie quarterback, takes the snap and drops quickly back into the pocket, but not immediately finding an open receiver, he begins to roll right with several Vikings in hot pursuit. Before anyone can catch him, however, Hastings laces a laser into the sure hands of Trent Tompkins in the extreme front corner of the end zone. Tompkins is then immediately wrestled out of bounds by several PSU defenders.

While Tompkins is clearly in the end zone, that alone is not enough for a touchdown to be ruled. No, the ball itself must also "break the plane" of the goal line in possession of the receiver. In fact, as long as the ball breaks the plane, the receiver doesn't have to be in the end zone at all. Trust me, this is all about the position of the ball in the receiver's possession and absolutely nothing else.

(There will be a quiz at the end of this column.)

After a brief second of hesitation, when all time is standing still, the official standing within a yard of Tompkins, and with a perfect view of the play, shoots both his arms straight into the air. 

Touchdown Aggies.

Game, set, match UC Davis.

Now it's the Aggie players who are ripping off their helmets and running to the sidelines in glee.

You can see the final play here.

But then comes the dreaded, and all too familiar, "The previous play is under review."

One minute passes. Two minutes pass. Now it's three minutes.

The sun is getting ready to set over the Beaverton Hills. Mount Hood is beginning to frown.

Can we have a little "Jeopardy" music please?

Both sides are certain the ruling will be in their favor. The fate of the free world hangs in the balance.

Finally, after everyone in attendance has had 10 years taken off their lives, the briefest of announcements states that the play stands as called on the field. It's now officially "Touchdown Aggies."

Two incredibly close, but nevertheless correct calls.

UC Davis has now won five straight games. Portland State has now lost five straight games.

Sometimes life is not fair.

Reach me at bobdunning@thewaryone.com