CALLS DURING LOSS
puzzle Razorbacks.
FAYETTEVILLE — Alabama needs little help from the other team to win games these days as aptly pointed out by University of Arkansas Coach Chad Morris after the No. 1 Crimson Tide’s 65-31 victory over Arkansas last Saturday.
However, the Tide were the beneficiary of every booth review and also had a couple of head-scratching decisions go their way on back-toback snaps in the second quarter that cemented their edge against the Razorbacks.
The first play came on a first and 10 at the Arkansas 49 with Alabama on the march and leading 21-7. The on-field officials determined Alabama tailback Najee Harris lost a fumble, which was recovered by Arkansas safety Santos Ramirez, after a 7-yard carry.
As the play was being reviewed by the command center in Birmingham, Ala., former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy said on the broadcast the ball looked to be “wiggling” prior to Harris’ backside and elbow hitting the turf and as Ramirez’s hit fully dislodged the ball. The collaborative replay team was also checking to see if Ramirez led with his helmet and was subject to a targeting foul, the ESPN crew announced.
The replay team determined Harris’ right elbow had made contact with the turf prior to the ball coming free, on overturn that surprised ESPN play-byplay announcer Dave Pasch. Ramirez was not subject to a targeting ejection.
“As soon as I hit him, he let the ball go and I fell on it,” Ramirez said. “It was indisputable, so I don’t even know how they overturned that.
“I felt like the ball was out, just looking from in-game speed. He let it go, and I fell right on it. But you know how things go sometimes, especially when you’re playing Alabama.”