The Fiesta Bowl matchup between No. 6 Mississippi and No. 10 Miami turned into an instant classic, with the Hurricanes coming from behind to win 31-27 and advance to the College Football Playoff championship game.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a true CFP game without at least a little controversy — and the Hurricanes and Rebels delivered on the game’s final play.
After giving up a 3-yard go-ahead touchdown to Carson Beck with 18 seconds left, Ole Miss advanced to the Miami 35-yard line as Trinidad Chambliss completed passes of 23 and 17 yards, respectively, to set up one final shot at the end zone. Ultimately, his pass to De’Zhaun Stribling fell incomplete, with Miami defensive back Ethan O’Connor in defense.
However, Chambliss and the Ole Miss sideline were quick to call for a flag in the immediate aftermath of the incompletion, believing O’Connor had committed pass interference, which — had officials thrown a flag — would have set up another shot at the end zone, this time from the 20-yard line. Officials swallowed their whistles, ending the game.
Here’s a look at the play:
Here’s another vantage of the play, which shows O’Connor grabbing onto Stribling’s jersey as they both ran to the back of the end zone. O’Connor also appears to impede Stribling’s chances at making a play on the ball.
Ultimately, officials elected not to call pass interference, and Ole Miss fans and neutral observers alike weren’t happy officials did not call what they believed to be a game-changing penalty:
