Bruce Ailer

11/26/2024

alabama

There was quite the ruckus brewing after Alabama's game against Oklahoma, with a touchdown catch by Ryan Williams called back due to a penalty. Alabama's coach, Kalen DeBoer, confirmed that discussions had been held with the SEC over this issue, but there was not much they could do at this point – the game was already in the books. Williams had made a dramatic leap to snag a pass on a crucial fourth down, but the referees flagged it as illegal touching due to a supposed alignment infraction. SEC rules state if you're the farthest outside receiver on the line, you oughta be eligible, and to hear DeBoer tell it, Williams was in the clear. Even old Bill LeMonnier, the rule analyst with ABC/ESPN, reckoned that the officials missed the mark on this one. Though the botched call didn't alter Alabama's loss, it was a tough pill knowing a touchdown was wiped off the board. As the Crimson Tide shifts their focus to the upcoming Iron Bowl against Auburn, DeBoer and his team are keen to put this controversy behind them, sitting at an 8-3 season heading into the weekend.