No. 8 Texas held on to beat Houston, 31–24, at TDECU Stadium in controversial style on Saturday.
With just 1:03 remaining in the game, Houston was faced with third-and-1 at the Texas 10-yard line. The Cougars handed the ball to running back Stacy Sneed who appeared to gain enough for a first down, down to the Texas 9-yard line. However, the referees marked the ball back at the 10-yard line, forcing a fourth-and-inches.
After the bad spot, Houston quarterback Donovan Smith’s pass to Stephon Johnson was broken up at the Texas 8-yard line.
As Fox’s Tim Brando stated on the telecast: “The spot will be talked about for a long, long time.”
Houston was marked short here pic.twitter.com/Cp1JPbyHXC
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 21, 2023
The college football world exploded with strong reactions as the referees had unfortunately affected the outcome of the game, taking a new set of downs away from the Cougars.
That spot will be talked about for a long time. Texas escapes 31-24. https://t.co/r6Gr78AWye
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 21, 2023
There is no way that spot was legit. Houston just got absolutely screwed. That’s insane.
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) October 21, 2023
Texas wins 31-24
As a Texas fan I can admit we got the call of a century with that spot… pic.twitter.com/qW9PWTMbAk
— 40AcresLandLord (@40AcresLandLord) October 21, 2023
That looked like a bad spot. Texas actually saved by the Big 12 refs. Never saw that coming. Sorry Coogs.
— Will Cain (@willcain) October 21, 2023
Houston fans have to be livid right now after that spot by the officials
— Texas Football Life (@txfblife) October 21, 2023
Yep. Screwed is accurate. https://t.co/zmU40L9D6w
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) October 21, 2023
THATS JUST RIDICULOUS! WHAT A BS SPOT https://t.co/rHROKXS2D2
— Jordan Hall (@JordanHallWX) October 21, 2023
Worst spot I've ever seen. The linesmen should be fired immediately. Refs MUST be held accountable pubilcly. https://t.co/ZjcwGk1pfm
— College Sports Superfan (@eisner_ryan) October 21, 2023
