Alabama fans were furious with what appeared to be a blatantly missed fumble call on an LSU touchdown … but there is an explanation for what happened. We think. Let’s get into it.
Alabama took on LSU in an SEC matchup on Saturday night, and were leading 21-0 comfortably heading into the second quarter. On the first play of the quarter, however, LSU quarterback TJ Finley found receiver Kayshon Boutte on a seam route that Boutte then ran into the end zone.
Except he might not have run it into the end zone.
Watching it in real time, it appeared that Boutte dropped the football to the ground before he ever crossed the goal line. It looked pretty blatant at first watch, and replays weren’t a lot better — he almost certainly dropped the ball before crossing into the end zone.
This play was reviewed and LSU was awarded a TD pic.twitter.com/ZCkIOAARhO
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 6, 2020
What followed was a TON of confusion. There didn’t appear to be any replay, and LSU pretty quickly kicked the extra point after the supposed score, so a ton of fans all assumed the refs missed the call.
What apparently happened, however, was that a different LSU player, Jontre Kirlin, then recovered the football, and was credited with scoring the touchdown.
Jontre Kirklin saw that from a mile away.
The second Kayshon Boutte dropped the football at the 1-yard line, Kirklin ran over and picked it up and looked at the ref.
Ref then signaled for the TD.
Really heads up play by the senior. And very much a freshman play on other end.
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) December 6, 2020
‘Bama then almost immediately scored again, and should win this game easily. But still, fans were outraged and confused by all of it. Look at the reaction:
