The state of Texas remains deeply engaged in the battle for the College Football Playoff, partially due to a contentious fumble decision that is bound to be scrutinized for an extended period.
The No. 7 Longhorns triumphed over No. 18 Missouri with a score of 34-20 after what seemed to be a straightforward incomplete pass from Arch Manning on a third down was classified as a fumble during the third quarter. Just three plays later, Texas (7-2) managed to even the score at 20-20 with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Jermaine Bishop.
With 2:22 left in the third quarter, Manning faced a hit to his arm while attempting to throw the ball down the field. Following the touchdown, the ball landed about ten yards past the line of scrimmage, leading most players to believe it was an incomplete pass. Nonetheless, Emmett Mosley V of Texas eventually grabbed the ball.
This turn of events proved significant. The on-field officials did not rule it an incomplete pass. Mosley managed to recover the ball at the Missouri 25-yard line, moving four yards past the first down marker.
As the play headed for a review, slow-motion replays suggested that Manning still had possession of the ball as his arm began to move forward. However, the SEC officiating team and the replay booth determined that the initial call would stand.
Instead of facing fourth-and-10 at the Missouri 39-yard line, where Texas would have had the option to attempt a lengthy field goal, punt, or go for it while trailing 20-13, the Longhorns benefited from a first down due to Mosley’s recovery.
Per college football’s regulations, it states, “When a player from team A is ready to pass the ball forward toward the neutral zone, any intentional forward motion by the passer’s hand with the ball securely held begins the forward pass unless the player is clearly bringing the ball back to their body with firm control.”
Given the wording in the regulations, the only feasible rationale is that the replay officials believed that Manning had relinquished “firm” control when his arm was struck — even though the ball remained briefly in his hand as he moved it forward.
“If I express my true feelings, I’d face substantial fines, and I’m not willing to do that because I’m not going to blame the officials,” Missouri’s coach Eli Drinkwitz stated during his postgame press conference. “That would not show respect to [Texas coach Steve Sarkisian] and his squad.
Over an hour post-game, the SEC issued a statement asserting that the replay officials could not definitively conclude that Manning had control of the ball as his arm advanced.
“The ruling on the field was a fumble,” the statement articulated. “In the replay review, it was concluded that there was no clear and unmistakable video evidence indicating he had firm control of the ball when his hand moved deliberately forward that would justify overturning the decision.”
Texas proceeded to score 21 consecutive points
The game shifted dramatically following the fumble ruling. Bishop’s touchdown initiated a series of three unanswered scores for the Longhorns.
Manning connected with Raleek Brown via a wheel route along the sideline with 5:03 remaining, giving Texas its first lead of the game and the eventual winning score.
Missouri (6-3) had an opportunity to either tie or go ahead in the final two minutes, but a third-down pass to Cayden Lee from Austin Simmons ended in a fumble after Lee was tackled hard immediately following the catch.
The ball was knocked into the air and caught by Graceson Littleton, who slid down before scoring, allowing the Longhorns to run down more time off the clock, then Brown added a crucial touchdown with 1:25 remaining.
Manning concluded the game with 28 completions out of 38 attempts for 297 yards and three touchdowns, while Brown recorded 17 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown.
This victory also occurred while Texas was without WR Cam Coleman, OT Trevor Goosby, and largely without edge rusher Colin Simmons. Goosby is sidelined for the season due to a knee injury. Coleman, recovering from a shoulder injury, was warmed up but did not participate in the game.
Simmons, who incurred a high-ankle sprain in the match against Florida, attempted to return for the first time since the injury. He saw limited action before spending most of the second half on the sideline.
Missouri’s wasted chances
This missed field goal followed a Texas fumble on a kickoff. Missouri started the third quarter with a field goal after officials ruled a catch by Lee as incomplete. Unlike Manning’s fumble, this decision was reversed rather than upheld. The call on the field was that it was a completed catch.
It could be described as, to put it mildly, an inconsistent day for the officials overseeing the game. At the close of the first half, Lee fumbled the ball while making a forward advance. Although Texas recovered the fumble, the officials prematurely blew the whistle due to forward progress.
After Texas leveled the score, the Tigers’ offense also became stagnant. Following Bishop’s touchdown, Missouri executed 14 plays over four drives, managing just 16 yards. While fans of the Tigers may feel frustrated over the replay decisions that didn’t go their way, Mizzou failed to capitalize on its opportunities during the fourth quarter.
This loss very likely extinguishes any remaining hopes Missouri had for making the playoff. The Tigers still face formidable opponents, including No. 2 Georgia, No. 6 Kentucky, and Oklahoma. Although winning all three could potentially place the Tigers back in playoff contention, it remains a highly unlikely scenario.
