dreadnaught33

No, not a fumble, but a live ball. ANY backwards pass, regardless of where it takes place is a live ball. Just as any forwards pass is a live ball until it hits the ground. As previously noted, fumble is "unsuccessful handling" ie dropping, slipping, dislodging, etc. Throwing the ball backwards is successful handling-- but it remains a live ball. Had Ole Miss grabbed it and ran it back, no one would be having this conversation.

It was clearly a "lateral" or a backwards pass. Even the commentators said "lateral" in real-time. No one thought it was a fumble-- until after the game and the result. The only people who think this may even be a little controversial live under the leadership of Hugh Freeze. The only controversy in my mind is which is funnier: Bielema saying he's going to hop on his wife, or Rebels fans asking their police department to remove Brandon Allen from the game.