Watch: Borderline catch sets Alabama up for TD in SEC title game

Alabama WR Isaiah Bond celebrates a play Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Questionable catch sets Alabama up for first-half touchdown in SEC title game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 12/2/23

CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore argued Saturday that the officials in the SEC Championship Game between Alabama and Georgia got a call wrong before halftime.

Alabama took a 17-7 lead into halftime of the conference championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday. Bama was aided by a call on a fourth-and-4 play from the Georgia 37 with just over a minute left in the second quarter.

The Crimson Tide were leading 10-7 with 1:25 remaining in the half when Jalen Milroe threw down the right side of the field to Isaiah Bond, who was credited with a diving/tumbling catch on a close play.

I don’t get how this wasn’t reviewed. Isaiah Bond dropped it!!!! pic.twitter.com/36HgOfcE2R
— Jack McGuire (@JackMacCFB) December 2, 2023

Replays showed that Bond was likely aided by the ground, but the officials did not review the play.

Steratore came on during CBS’ halftime break and said that he thought the play should have been reviewed and the call changed.

The ball contacting the ground does not unequivocally determine if a pass should be ruled complete or not.

However, when loss of possession occurs as the ball contacts the ground, the ground is essentially aiding the receiver in the process of the catch.

In #ALAvsUGA, I… pic.twitter.com/pWHYmq7lkj

— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) December 2, 2023

Had that catch been ruled an incomplete pass, Georgia would have taken over possession at their 37 with over a minute remaining in the half. Instead, Bama was credited with a first down and scored a big touchdown two plays later to go up 17-7. Alabama ultimately held on for a 27-24 win to capture the SEC title.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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