A huge play in Saturday night’s Fiesta Bowl playoff game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes was decided by a replay review.
Clemson had a 3rd-and-19 situation from their 20 in the third quarter and attempted a pass. Trevor Lawrence threw the ball to Justyn Ross, who appeared to catch it and get stripped by Jeff Okudah. Jordan Fuller picked up the fumble and returned it for a touchdown.
This is a hell of a play by Okudah … but it was ruled an incompletion and takes away Fuller’s fumble return for a TD. pic.twitter.com/xWkUr7H6Vc
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) December 29, 2019
However, after a review, the referees overturned the fumble and touchdown call on the field and decided Ross never had control of the ball.
As ESPN’s officials analysis pointed out, though it looked on slow motion like Ross had the ball and took a few steps with it, in real-time, Ross never appeared to have control or do a football move with the ball, which explains why it was overturned.
Sunday Night Football rules analyst Terry McAulay did not think the call should have been overturned.
This is a great angle. There is absolutely no way replay should have reversed. “Indisputable video evidence” is simply not there. https://t.co/q77FD1IYJ7
— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) December 29, 2019
Rather than the score being 22-21 Ohio State, Clemson remained ahead 21-16 and got a chance to punt.
The incompletion call seemed correct to me. But between this and the targeting ejection on Shaun Wade, Ohio State fans have some serious reasons to be upset.
