Former NFL ref says pass interference should have been called on final play of Fiesta Bowl
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Former NFL referee Terry McAulay believes defensive pass interference should have been called on the final play of the Fiesta Bowl.
After Miami took the lead with under 20 seconds remaining, Ole Miss managed to get the ball into Canes territory and had one final chance to win the game. A pass from Trinidad Chambliss fell incomplete, but it wasn’t without controversy.
Ole Miss receiver De’Zhaun Stribling appeared to draw pass interference on the play. Officials declined to make that call, but McAulay confirmed Miami should have been flagged.
Here’s a clip of the play along with McAulay’s analysis:
If the play had been called defensive pass interference, Ole Miss would have had one untimed down with a chance to win the game.
Instead, Ole Miss’s season ends with a 13-2 record — the best mark in program history.
Chambliss led Ole Miss on a go-ahead TD drive in the game’s final minutes, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win. Carson Beck brought Miami down the field and scored a rushing touchdown under 20 seconds remaining. Chambliss had 277 passing yards on 37 attempts in the loss.
Miami has advanced to the National Championship Game, where it will face either Oregon or Indiana.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
