Fumbled flags and questionable calls fueled online outrage as Texas narrowly secured victory over Vanderbilt. Social media erupted over officiating errors.
The No. 20 Texas Longhorns (7-2) defeated the No. 9 Vanderbilt Commodores (7-2) on Saturday, 34-31. The game was more decisive than the final score indicated.
Officiating doesn't determine games, and it didn't on Saturday. But it did make the game more interesting.
The Longhorns dominated the Commodores for the majority of the game. That is, until officials put their fingers on the scale.
The Longhorns built a 34-10 lead in the 3rd quarter. And despite what the final score would indicate, the team continued to move the football with ease on the ground.
Vanderbilt, who allowed six sacks and 10 tackles for loss on the game, climbed in gradually as Texas eased into autopilot. The Longhorns allowed Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia to sneak out of the backfield for a long run to allow the Commodores back into the game before Pavia launched a football at a Texas defender. It wasn't the only low blow Pavia got away with on the day.
On another play, Pavia baited a Texas defender into a late hit out of bounds penalty by pulling the defender out of bounds with him. The Longhorns were called for the flag.
Several other instances went the Commodores' way in the second half. Vanderbilt was given a conversion when top receiver Junior Sherill reached for the end zone and came clearly short of the pylon.
On another play, officials reversed a Texas touchdown pass to Emmett Mosley V. Because officials missed a pass interference penalty, a would-be game ending play went erased without an opportunity to secure a score afterward.
Social media weighed in on how the game was officiated.
One account described a missed call, "embarrassing."
An Ole Miss account echoed the sentiment saying, "How bad is SEC officiating? Bad enough to review this and still call it a successful 2 pt conversion."
No team ever won a game because of officiating. Each game has its own opportunities to separate from opposition, and Texas had a wide enough margin for error to win the game. Still Texas faithful probably were not satisfied with a handful of second half calls.
Despite the score, Texas moved to 7-2 on the season with a 2-1 record vs. Top 10 opponents for the season. The win moves the team into College Football Playoff contention and ahead of playoff hopeful Vanderbilt should it come down to one last spot.
Texas' opponent does not have a bye next week, but the Longhorns do. The 'Horns will watch the Georgia Bulldogs' matchup with the Mississippi State Bulldogs intently as they prepare for the heavyweight bout.