Sports

Official Review Confirms CFB Team Was Robbed Of Season Opening Win On Controversial Final Play

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A football rests on the playing field.

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The Central Arkansas Bears fell to the Arkansas State Red Wolves in each team’s season opener on Saturday, falling by a score of 34-31.

That game came down to the final seconds, which ended with the Red Wolves tossing a go-ahead touchdown pass on their last possession.

The pass was initially ruled incomplete before a review overturned the call to give the Red Wolves a touchdown. That ruling was provided by the Sun Belt review center, and it benefitted a Sun Belt team.

Further analysis of the play, however, confirmed that referees botched the call. Central Arkansas was robbed!!

The Sun Belt Conference released a statement on the situation on Tuesday.

“The Sun Belt Conference, upon review of the complete pass call with 3 seconds remaining in the Central Arkansas at Arkansas State football game, has announced an incorrect application of the replay review process.

“The replay official was focused on the firm control and body part down aspects of the act of a catch and failed to evaluate the surviving the ground aspect of a catch during the review of the play in question.

“The right end zone camera shows the receiver did not survive the ground, but this camera angle was not consulted by the replay official. The replay ruling should have confirmed the on-field call of an incomplete pass.”

Even Corey Rucker, the receiver who “caught” the pass, was shocked by the ruling.

“I didn’t think it was a catch,” he said. “I thought they were reviewing for possession.”

As it turns out, he might’ve been right!

Games never come down to just one play, but this was a big one. Had the correct call been made – as it initially was – a win was still in sight. Instead, Central Arkansas was robbed of its upset bid.