Apparently you can throw an incomplete pass beyond the line of scrimmage and recover the ball for a first down in college football if you’re Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns.
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In Saturday’s Texas-Missouri showdown, a matchup with huge implications for the College Football Playoff, the Longhorns trailed 20-13 late in the third quarter when Manning dropped back on 3rd and 10, appearing to throw an incomplete forward pass while being hit. To the nation watching, it appeared that Manning’s arm was clearly moving forward before he lost control of the ball, but the officials apparently saw something the rest of America didn’t.
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Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns tackles Jason Dowell of the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri on November 7, 2026. (Getty Images)
One SEC official called it an incomplete pass, while another allowed the play to continue, which isn’t too uncommon during a bang-bang game like this. Ultimately, the team let the play play out and ruled it a forward fumble, allowing Texas receiver Emmett Mosley V to recover the ball 14 yards downfield for a first down.
When reviewing the play, ABC/ESPN play-by-play announcer Joe Tessitore said in astonishment, “Are they saying it’s not a forward pass but rather a fumble?!”
Color commentator Jesse Palmer was also shocked.
Worst of all: The officials reviewed the play and still ruled it was a fumble. Three plays later, Texas scored the tying touchdown.
This obviously caused the college football world to collapse.
Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up before a game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri on November 7, 2026. (Getty Images)
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One X user said he was “questioning the integrity of this team of officials.”
Former referee, now rules analyst Terry McAulay, said: “It’s clearly and obviously an incomplete pass. He loses control after the hand moves forward.”
Former Missouri and NFL quarterback Chase Daniel was angry. “This is the most ridiculous call I’ve ever seen…you have the rules analyst and Jesse Palmer on the show completely flabbergasted.”
Outkick College football reporter Trey Wallace said, “It was called an Arch Manning fumble, and Texas got it on 3rd down with a 12-yard gain. What the hell is going on at Missouri.”
Former Missouri receiver TJ Moe felt the same way, saying, “That call knocked Mizzou out of the playoffs. Absolutely ridiculous. In what world is that not a forward pass?”
On3 personality David Pollack said: “He was the craziest striker I’ve ever seen for Texas.”
Former NFL player Breiden Fehoko posted: “Real fixing going on at the Texas/Missouri game. Real talk, it’s so mean.”
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Many college football fans shared similar sentiments, calling it “rigged” and claiming the SEC favored Manning and the Longhorns for their “grades” and more accusations.
Just consider this another officiating scandal that will continue to cause fans and media to question the integrity of the game.
Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri. (Getty Images)
After the game, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz wasn’t particularly interested in donating his salary to the SEC by criticizing the officials, suggesting he would be fined if he said what he really thought.
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Texas ultimately scored 21 unanswered points to win 34-20, but the controversial call left Missouri fans wondering if they had just witnessed a football game or a creative interpretation of the rules.
Gn sports
