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Officials miss blatant facemask penalty in final play of Florida-Florida State
By Kevin Duffey
Published:
The Florida Gators lost to the Florida State Seminoles 45-38 Friday night in a thrilling shootout in Tallahassee.
Florida led 24-21 at halftime; however, FSU scored 17-unanswered points in the third quarter to grab the lead and the momentum. However, Florida rallied in the 4th quarter, outscoring FSU 14-7 to get back into the game.
The Gators got the ball back with 4 minutes left in the game to attempt a game-tying drive. FSU was flagged for pass interference on 4th and 18, and it gave Florida a new set of downs. While broadcaster Brock Osweiler continued to say it wasn’t pass interference, it clearly was. The defensive back hooked the Florida receiver’s right arm allowing the receiver no way to make the reception.
4th and 18 in the 4th quarter with the game on the line and this is called pass interference to keep Florida alive #UFvsFSU pic.twitter.com/RtVXT6Ew0N
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) November 26, 2022
Later in the drive on 4th and 12 with 39 seconds to go on the 26-yard line, Anthony Richardson rolled out of the pocket, and an FSU defensive player clearly grabbed his facemask and the officials missed it. The facemask penalty would have given Florida a new set of downs.
FLORIDA STATE GETS THE 4TH DOWN STOP AND THE WIN!!
*Refs missed a facemask call* pic.twitter.com/x2e2ViEQml
— ?????? @???????? (@FTBeard7) November 26, 2022
Richardson’s pass fell incomplete, and Florida State defeated Florida for the first time since 2017.
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
