College football fans and media rip SEC refs over controversial forward fumble call in Texas-Missouri game
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.During Saturday's Texas-Missouri showdown, a matchup with massive College Football Playoff implications, the Longhorns were trailing 20-13 late in the third quarter when Manning dropped back on 3rd-and-10, appearing to throw an incomplete forward pass while getting hit.To the nation watching, it looked like Manning's arm was clearly moving forward before he lost control of the ball, but the officials apparently saw something the rest of America didn't.ARCH MANNING, TEXAS ESCAPE MISSOURI AFTER WILD OFFICIATING CONTROVERSY SENDS SEC SHOWDOWN INTO CHAOSArch Manning of the Texas Longhorns scrambles from Jason Dowell of the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo., on Nov.
7, 2026.(Getty Images)One SEC sideline official called it an incomplete pass, while another allowed the play to continue, which isn’t too uncommon during a bang-bang play like this.
Ultimately, the crew let the play stand and ruled it a forward fumble, allowing Texas receiver Emmett Mosley V to recover the ball 14 yards downfield for a first down.During the review of the play, ABC/ESPN play-by-play announcer Joe Tessitore said astonishingly, "Are they saying this is not a forward pass and instead, a fumble?!"Color commentator Jesse Palmer was also shocked.Worst of all: The officials reviewed the play and somehow still decided it was a fumble.Three plays later, Texas scored the game-tying touchdown.This obviously caused the college football world to melt down.Arch Manning No.
16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up before a game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo., on Nov.7, 2026.
(Getty Images)REFS' CRUCIAL NO CALL LOOMS LARGE OVER GEORGIA'S VICTORY OVER ALABAMAOne X user said they were "Question...