FBS conference admits replay officials made wrong call on game-deciding TD in final seconds
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The Sun Belt conference admits that its replay officials made an incorrect call on a game-deciding touchdown Saturday.
Arkansas State trailed Central Arkansas 31-27 with only 7 seconds remaining on the clock. On 1st-and-goal, ASU’s Jaylen Raynor threw to Corey Rucker in the end zone.
On the field, the pass was ruled incomplete. On replay review, however, the call was overturned to complete, giving ASU a touchdown with barely any time remaining on the black. Arkansas State converted the PAT and went up 34-31, the game’s final score.
Here are a couple of looks at the play in question:
.@charlesmccary got a great angle of the game winning touchdown.
Jaylen Raynor to Corey Rucker in the final seconds. Referees originally ruled it incomplete, review would overturn it.
Arkansas State beat UCA 34-31 in a wild season opener.@AStateFB #FunBelt pic.twitter.com/4UDTbeYIfO
— Chris Hudgison (@ChrisHudgison) September 1, 2024
After a long review, this incompletion is overturned and Arkansas State scores a CLUTCH touchdown in the final moments against FCS Central Arkansas pic.twitter.com/Y87nrVwGo9
— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) September 1, 2024
On Tuesday, the Sun Belt announced that the replay officials ruled incorrectly.
“The Sun Belt Conference, upon review of the complete pass call with 3 seconds remaining in the Central Arkansas at Arkansas State football game, has announced an incorrect application of the replay review process,” the conference’s released statement reads.
“The replay official was focused on the firm control and body part down aspects of the act of a catch and failed to evaluate the surviving the ground aspect of a catch during the review of the play in question.
“The right end zone camera shows the receiver did not survive the ground, but this camera angle was not consulted by the replay official. The replay ruling should have confirmed the on-field call of an incomplete pass.”
The result will remain 34-31 Arkansas State. It’s absolutely brutal for Central Arkansas, an FCS program, to know it should have led 31-27 with 3 seconds remaining, but has to move forward 0-1 after not getting the chance to make 1 more defensive stop.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
