RENO — The Mountain West Conference has reprimanded Nevada football coach Brian Polian for his public criticism of the referees after the Wolf Pack’s 49-27 victory at UNLV.
The conference said in a statement Monday that Polian’s remarks during a postgame interview on Saturday violated the Mountain West’s sportsmanship rules.
Polian complained about a disparity in penalties whistled during the intrastate rivalry, saying the “officiating was horrible.” He said he didn’t understand how Nevada could be penalized 11 times for 87 yards and the Rebels only three for 35 yards.
Polian also criticized his own player, defensive tackle Rykeem Yates, who was ejected for a flagrant foul.
The public reprimand carries no penalty, but a second offense could bring stiffer penalties, including suspensions.
League officials said they would have no further comment.
