ESPN rules analyst calls out officials over controversial overturn of LSU TD

ESPN's on-air rules analyst called out the officials in the Clemson vs. LSU game for overturning a potential LSU touchdown.

Sep 28, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA;  Detailed view of a 100 years of Tiger Stadium patch on a pylon during the second quarter between the LSU Tigers and South Alabama Jaguars at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

A controversial ruling could have a big impact in the Clemson vs. LSU game on Saturday night. What seemed to be a review for a potential touchdown catch instead ruled an incompletion, backing LSU up considerably and taking possible points off the board.

The controversy occurred after quarterback Garrett Nussmeier uncorked a deep ball toward the front right corner of the end zone to Zavion Thomas. Thomas seemed to haul in the catch, but he was initially ruled short at the half yard line.

The play went to review, seemingly to see if he had gotten into the end zone. But officials found something else, apparently ruling that Thomas had not secured the catch into the ground.

ABC’s on-air rules expert disagreed. He voiced his opinion on the broadcast.

“My thought is we had a touchdown,” ABC rules expert Bill Lemonier said. “I thought he had firm control, took a step, got to the end zone. Even hit the pylon where he’d get the ball extended to.”

On3 will have more on this developing story shortly.

Category: General Sports