During Clemson’s game against Pitt on Saturday, Clemson running back Wayne Gallman stretched for the goal line and fumbled. Pitt’s Jordan Whitehead picked it up and ran approximately 101 yards for an apparent touchdown. But after a video review, Clemson got the touchdown instead, tying the game at 14.
This 101-yard Pitt TD return was overturned and ruled a Clemson score
Someone definitely scored here. Officials probably got it right, but was it indisputable?
Gallman, upon review, reached the end zone before he fumbled. That looks like the right call, but it’s awfully close. The ball probably breaks the plane extending upward from Pitt’s goal line, and this is probably a rightful touchdown for Clemson.
A side view:
And another:
It’s hard to be definitive, but it’s also hard for Pitt to have too much beef about this if everyone’s being honest about what probably happened. Gallman almost definitely puts the tip of the ball across the front edge of the goal line.
But, counterpoint: Can you say it’s indisputable that Gallman got in? I, personally, wouldn’t dispute it, but Pitt wouldn’t be wrong to think it’s at least arguable. It’s a bit of a surprising overturn, even though it’s almost definitely the right call. (Maybe that tells you something about the evidentiary standards used in football replay.)
A similar play went in Clemson’s favor earlier in the year as well, against Troy:
Texas Tech forced a goal-line fumble against Texas last week and scored almost the exact sort of touchdown Pitt almost scored here. Such scores — where you know someone scored a touchdown, but aren’t sure who — are a rare but wild time.
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