An attempted spike by Auburn quarterback Bo Nix could have been ruled a fumble, but officials instead rule the pass incomplete.
Bo Nix has never been happier to throw an incomplete pass.
No. 13 Auburn eked out a 30-28 win over Arkansas on a go-ahed, 39-yard field goal by Anders Carlson with 0:07 remaining. The kick followed a controversial call during the game's final drive when Nix attempted to spike the ball with under 30 seconds and no timeouts remaining.
On the play, Nix fumbled the snap, but turned backwards to recover it. He then spiked the ball, but did so with his back to the line of scrimmage, making it appear to be a backward pass. Officials ruled the play intentional grounding, and after a review upheld the call.
Auburn led, 17-0, early in the second quarter before Arkansas mounted a strong comeback. The Razorbacks cut the lead to 20-12 at halftime and 20-18 at the end of the third quarter. After an Auburn touchdown put the Tigers up, 27-18, early in the fourth, Arkansas scored 10 unanswered points to take the lead with 5:29 to go.
On the ensuing Auburn possession, Carlson missed a 34-yard field goal that would have given the Tigers the lead with 2:38 left. The Auburn defense forced a three-and-out, giving Carlson the chance at redemption that he took advantage of to win the game.