Even Football Officials

EVEN FOOTBALL OFFICIALS make mistakes—no surprise there, right? But in the 1940 Dartmouth–Cornell game, the crew managed to turn around its error.

The Dartmouth Indians hosted the undefeated, No. 2-ranked Cornell Big Red. Playing in bitter cold, Dartmouth took a 3–0 lead on Bob Krieger’s 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. With 45 seconds remaining, Cornell mounted a drive and faced first-and-goal at the Indian 6-yard line.

Three straight runs left the Big Red a foot short. With nine seconds left, Cornell called a time-out, but referee Red Friesell penalized Cornell five yards for illegal substitution, bringing up fourth-and-goal from the 6. Quarterback Walt Scholl threw for the end zone, but Ray Hall broke up the pass, apparently returning the ball to Dartmouth.

The home crowd roared with excitement over the upset. With three seconds still on the clock, Friesell handed the ball to the Indians, but lineman Joe McKenny stopped him. Cornell retained possession. On the “fifth down” play, Scholl connected with Bill Murphy for a touchdown. The extra point gave the Big Red a 7–3 win.

After the game, a scout from a rival Ivy League team approached Friesell and informed him of the mistake. Viewing game films confirmed the error. The ball should have gone to Dartmouth. The official filed a report with the Eastern Intercollegiate Football Association admitting his crew’s mistake. Cornell president Ezra Day telegraphed the findings to Dartmouth athletic director William T. McCarter, and the Big Red relinquished the victory.

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POINT Sometimes, but not very often, officials reverse their call after instant replay review. But in 1940 instant replay didn’t exist, and even in the 21st century officials don’t use it in college ball. But the football association admitted the mistake, and Cornell agreed to give up the win.

Rarely in the Bible does God reverse his decisions. But one time he did was when he sent Jonah to preach judgment to Nineveh. The people saw their errors and showed genuine sorrow, so God spared them, turning their defeat into victory.

GOAL! Read Jonah 1–4. Was God right to reverse his judgment? Should Jonah have been upset? Praise God for turning defeat to victory.