NCAA Football

An Alabama Fumble Return For A Touchdown Didn’t Count, And No One Had Any Idea Why

by Glenn Davis | 10:51 pm, October 1st, 2011

Alabama headed into halftime with a 24-10 lead over Florida, but Alabama faithful could be forgiven for not being completely satisfied – one play near the half appeared to extend that lead, but it didn’t count…and the reason why was seemingly a mystery to everyone except the referees who made the call. (NOTE: We’re having some video issues at the moment, but whenever they’re resolved, you’ll be able to see the play below. Apologies for the inconvenience.)

It was a bizarre play to begin with – when Florida quarterback John Brantley lost the ball/halfway fell back on it, everyone just seemed to assume the play was over. But then, Alabama’s Adrian Hubbard (who himself initially thought the play was over) ran the ball into the end zone untouched…but then, it turned out the play actually was over, and officials never offered a sufficient explanation. Did they think Brantley was down? Did they think he recovered the fumble? Hard to say.

A break for Florida, but their good fortune was short-lived: soon after this play, Brantley had to exit the game and had to be helped off the field, making the prospects for a Gator comeback (which already weren’t the best) much dimmer. If they somehow manage to work themselves back into this thing, however, the non-TD above will loom large.

Video by Tim Burke.

Me

I don’t know why such a big deal was made out of this. Brantley did fumble, but he’s on the ground with it (i.e. he recovered it) and then it is ripped out by the Bama lineman. Once Brantley is on the ground with it, it is a dead ball. It’s the right call.
dan thompson

This is why there is such a big deal. Brantley clearly fumbled the football. The ball then becomes live until it is downed. Brantley, although laying against it, did not have control of the ball. The officials simply missed the call!
mike

if alabama would have lost then this would have been a very big deal & if Florida called time out how come the downs went from 2 & 10 to 3rd & 20, if they called time the down wouldn’t have counted & U can’t call time out in the middle of the play so at least alabama should have got the ball where the fumble was at.
CB

Lol not a big deal, well it is the ref through the fumble bag on the ground and kept running acting like the play was still alive, and mike is right 2nd to 3rd down doesnt make sense, just more florida bullshit, bama got there payback for that bullshit call the next play.

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