When you think of a game that features 1,009 yards of offense, you do not think that eight inches could make all the difference. However, in the Ole Miss vs. Auburn game that is what happened. Those eight inches not only changed this game; it may have changed the whole college playoff picture.
Ole Miss looked like they were going to win the game on a late 4th-quarter drive. Star receiver Laquon Treadwell caught a pass from Bo Wallace and was heading for the game-winning touchdown when he was tackled just before getting into the end zone. At first, the replays seemed to be showing that Treadwell sustained the injury as he scored the touchdown to keep Ole Miss’ play-off hopes alive and had shattered Auburn’s upset bid.
The announcers, rightfully so, thought that they needed to quit showing the play because of the possibility of a gruesome injury. However, there was a growing realization that the replays were showing the fumble may have occurred outside the end zone and that Auburn may have recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback. At one point, the announcers were confused enough that they thought Alabama had recovered the ball. Maybe they were already looking ahead for the Auburn and Alabama game.
After multiple views, the referees determined that there was a fumble outside the end zone and that Auburn did in fact recover for a touchback.
Bo Wallace had another fantastic game. He was 28 of 40 for 361 yards and 2 TD’s and 0 INT’s. Ole Miss also had three wide receivers (Evan Engram, Vince Sanders, and Treadwell) who had over 100 yards receiving. In addition to the great display of receiving; they accumulated 147 yards rushing as well. In the end, though, it was eight inches that cost them the game and their chances at the college football championship.
(Featured image: Oxford Eagle/Bruce Newman)