What many people haven't grasped is that on review the pitch probably would not have been overturned. Here is why:
THis play falls under the same general set of requirements as the "tuck rule", "pass/fumble", etc etc
Just as in the case of a passer being sacked -- was his arm going forward at the time he was sacked or fumbled. If so it is ruled a pass as it is considered the same as "the ball coming out" on a fumble review -- even if the ball is still in the passer's hand. If the arm is going forward the pass is considered tohave been started (Even if the ball is still in the players hand).
Now, THE SAME STANDARD applies to pitch plays. If the Pitchman (young) has started the pitching motion then the ball is considered to "Be coming out". Ergo , On the replay, when Young's knee hits the ground his hand had already mover halfway across his body -- he had begun the pitch movement -- as a result the ruling would be that the Pitch had already started (just as in the case of a pass where the arm is going forward, or a fumble where the ball is ruled to be coming out.) Is it a fair rule, probably not, as the ball is technically still in the possession of the pitchman, but it is considered to be "In motion" and therefore the play would not have been overturned.
Wow good point - I think you are the only one that thought of that. If Young had been in the act of fumbling and his knee went down, it still would have been a fumble since it started before his knee hit.
I hope the talking heads consider this before they try to make USC the "real" champion on all of the sports shows.