Eastern Kentucky has engineered quite the turnaround in recent years under Walt Wells, and Wells has made the Colonels once again a Football Championship Playoff fixture.
In fact, they were positioned Saturday to score a road-win at 10-win Villanova.
EKU led 17-9 at the half and were positioned for the defensive play of the game -- arguably the defensive play of the game anywhere in the FCS Playoffs.
This play was ultimately ruled as an incomplete pass rather than a strip-sack-fumble for a touchdown by the Colonels' defensive lineman.
THIS was called an incomplete pass by reply booth. pic.twitter.com/mj2go6NWVC
— FCS Nation Radio (@FCSNationRadio1) November 30, 2024
Wells shared his perspective on the referee's controversial call directly with FootballScoop.
"You heard the same thing I did," Wells said of the overturned touchdown. "He would not come over and talk to me!
"Never has a call like that been changed without the White Hat (Head Referee) having the professionalism to explain to me after the reversal!! Just don’t understand how a crew who doesn’t have a team (from its designated conference) participating in the FCS Playoffs has the right to officiate in the tournament."
No. 11 seed Villanova rallied to win, 22-17, and advanced to earn a spot opposite No. 6 seed Incarnate-Word next weekend.
In his postgame interview immediately following the contest, Wells suppressed his comments.
"I wish I could be honest," Wells said at the time. "I really do. My Mom and Dad always told me to be honest, but I'm going to choose to not use my words.
"We had a lot of points taken off the board."
Wells also noted the high volume of penalties -- 20 total flags combined on the teams -- was not indicative of the two teams's performances.
"It was not that poorly played game," Wells added.