Getty Image
The Alabama Crimson Tide narrowly avoided a second consecutive upset loss to an unranked team on Saturday against the visiting South Carolina Gamecocks.
And they may well have a late holding call against South Carolina to thank for avoiding the upset. But after ABC refused to show a replay of the call, fans are furious and skeptical of the officials calling the game.
The call went against South Carolina offensive lineman Kemaar Bell with 7:40 left in the contest. The Gamecocks had 1st-and-10 at the Alabama 28-yard line trailing 20-19 and had methodically worked the ball down the field.
But the penalty made it 1st-and-20 from 38 and South Carolina eventually had to settle for a 51-yard field goal attempt that kicker Alex Herrera missed short and right.
However, all anybody could talk about was the holding call.
Comical the holding flag comes out by the 🦓 on a drive where we’re rolling and momentum swinging our way…. Never got to see the replay either… SMH #CB90
— Cocksby90 (@cocks_by_90) October 12, 2024
Anyone see replay of the holding penalty called on us that last drive to see if it was legit? Just curious because right now that call might be what loses us this game.
— Gary Eubanks (@GolfingGamecock) October 12, 2024
Phantom holding call with no replay to bail them out is so classic 😭😂
— Huey Icewater (@HueyIcewater) October 12, 2024
lol they didn’t even replay that “holding” call that came at the end of the play
— Silky Johnson Playa Hater Says Free Palestine🇵🇸 (@imdacraic) October 12, 2024
The incident occurred just one week after ACC refs came under scrutiny for multiple missed calls that aided the Miami Hurricanes in their comeback victory over Cal.
Both Miami and Alabama are considered frontrunners to represent their conference in the College Football Playoff. On the flipside, both South Carolina and Cal are unlikely to make the CFP. Which makes both incidents extremely sketchy looking for the SEC and ACC respectively.
The Crimson Tide marched down the field and scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive after the missed field goal. South Carolina answered back on an incredible touchdown catch by Nyck Harbor, but quarterback LaNorris Sellers overthrew his pass on a 2-point conversion attempt with 43 seconds remaining, sending the ball flying out of the end zone.
The Gamecocks then recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt with 40 seconds to play at the Alabama 49-yard line. But Sellers threw a late interception to Domani Jackson, clinching the victory for the Tide.