Controversial Call Ruins Team’s Season, What Really Happened?

Sports fans witnessed a clash of giants at the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl on New Year's Day. The number five seed, the Texas Longhorns took on number four seed Arizona State University (ASU). The game was an extremely close one, finishing 39-31 after a double overtime which saw ASU leave the College Football Playoffs (CFP). Cam Skattebo lit up the game from the running back role, his physicality and speed, along with the strong Sun Devils’ offensive line, helped Skattebo finish with five catches for twenty one yards, and twenty five rushes for 131 yards, breaking an ASU record for most rushing yards in a season (1,711). The Sun Devils were losing 17-3 by the end of the first half, but ASU never gave up. They scored sixteen points in the fourth quarter, leading them to tie it up (Texas scored throughout the game) 24-24, forcing OT. Both teams converted on their first OT at the red zone. Ewers threw a 25 yarder to Gunnar Helm for a touchdown. Golden proceeds to add two from a conversion (In overtime, you have to go for two). Mukuba ended ASU’s hopes via an interception at the three by Sam Leavitt. In the fourth quarter, controversy unfolded. 1:15 left on the clock, ASU pushing for points with the score tied at 24-24. On third and fifteen, Leavitt fires to wide receiver Melquan Stovall, and a collision takes place. Helmet to helmet. Micheal Taaffe absolutely bodies a turning Stovall. It looked like a hit straight out of Bountygate. The referees reviewed the play, and controversially decided it was, in fact, not targeting. The punishment for said foul would be a fifteen yard penalty, and in some cases, ejection. Most fans seem to reach the opposite conclusion: obvious targeting. If this was called, the Sun Devils’ would’ve had a new set of downs, giving them potentially an opportunity to get more points on the board and to potentially win the game. Overall, Arizona State University vs. The Texas Longhorns was a controversial game. On paper, Texas should’ve won comfortably, but imagine what could’ve happened with a slightly better staff of referees. The Longhorns will now play the number eight seed powerhouse, the Ohio State Buckeyes, in the Cotton Bowl.