Arkansas screwed by referees on controversial Bo Nix spike play at end of game
Arkansas got screwed by a bad call from the referees at the end of their loss at Auburn on Saturday night.
Auburn was down 28-27 to Arkansas and had the ball for a third down in the final minute. Tigers quarterback Bo Nix intended to spike the ball on the play to stop the clock. He bobbled the snap, picked the ball off the ground, then spiked it behind him.
This wasn't ruled a fumble for some reason pic.twitter.com/usK4OjhFut
— Cover 3 Podcast (@Cover3Podcast) October 10, 2020
The initial ruling on the field was intentional grounding. The referees reviewed the play and upheld the call. They ran 10 seconds off the clock and said it was a loss of a down for Auburn.
The Tigers then kicked a 39-yard field goal on the next play to effectively win the game.
Since Nix spiked the ball backwards, the ball should have been considered live and therefore a fumble, not a spike. The referees blew the call and helped give Auburn a 30-28 win.
Those watching could not believe it:
Explain to me how that’s a not a fireable offense for a ref.
I legitimately can’t believe that just happened.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 10, 2020
I’m fairly certain I’ve never seen a worse college football replay decision.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) October 10, 2020
I don't claim to be any type of rules expert. But… Arkansas got SCREWED by the refs on that one
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) October 10, 2020