FORT WORTH, Texas — With 2 minutes remaining, West Virginia’s potential game-tying drive looked promising as receiver David Sills caught a back-shoulder throw and scooted down to TCU’s 35-yard line.
When a flag followed, Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier presumed it was for Frogs defensive back Tony James tugging Sills’ jersey before the catch.
Then came the offensive pass interference signal.
Instead of a 25-yard gain by Sills, the Mountaineers retreated to first-and-25 at their own 25 — a 40-yard swing that flipped the complexion of the final series in a 31-24 loss.
“I don’t know what to say about it,” Grier said. “I watched David get held and come off and make a really good play. We were running up to run the next play, and uh, that’s all I say about that.”
The TCU sideline screamed for a Sills push-off, and his arm was extended as he sought separation. Yet replays also showed James yanking the receiver’s jersey as the pass neared.
Sills didn’t think he warranted a flag, adding that the fateful play’s back-and-forth contact didn’t seem worse than what he experienced throughout the game.
“There’s 2 minutes left in the game, and I think that’s a tough call to make,” Sills said. “But it’s the call he made, so you’ve got to go with it.”
Three plays later, Grier threw incomplete on fourth-and-18 and TCU took possession to kill the final 1:13.
Wanting the victory, Sills had to settle for 116 receiving yards and two touchdowns on seven catches.
“If it wasn’t a (pass interference) call we would’ve been in a good position to win the game,” Sills said, “but the refs make the final call.”
West Virginia offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said he didn’t have a good view of the penalty and coach Dana Holgorsen wouldn’t wade into the debate, at least not directly.
“I won’t talk about the officials — ever,” he said. “I’d like to but I don’t want to.”