SEC Referees Gifted Arch Manning With A Free First Down On Incomplete Pass Somehow Ruled As A Fumble

It certainly looked like Arch Manning threw an incomplete pass during the college football game against Missouri on Saturday. However, the SEC officiating crew determined that it was actually a fumble and Texas recovered the loose ball for a first down.

The Longhorns scored the game-tying touchdown just a few plays later.

One single play does not typically determine the outcome of a college football game but Tigers fans might disagree. They were on the wrong end of multiple questionable calls.

Did Arch Manning throw an incomplete pass or fumble?

Texas trailed Missouri by seven points with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Longhorns had the ball on offense.

Arch Manning dropped back to pass on third down and 10 at the Tigers’ 39-yard-line when the pocket suddenly collapsed around him. The defense swarmed to the quarterback. They hit him as he threw. His pass fluttered past the line of scrimmage and almost landed right into the outstretched hands of a defensive back.

Although Missouri safety Satntana Banner could not secure the interception, an incomplete pass was just as valuable. Texas was either going to punt on 4th-and-10 or kick an extremely long field goal. Likely the former.

We will never know what Steve Sarkisian would’ve decided to do because he didn’t have to decide.

The SEC officiating crew decided to review the previous play. They ultimately ruled that Manning’s arm was not going forward when he got hit. As a result, the incomplete pass was not incomplete or a pass. It was a forward fumble!

Texas picked up a first down and tied the college football game.

Here is a look at the replay: