Skip to main content
Join Now
Get a profile. Be recruited.

Oklahoma maintains possession on controversial fumble ruling during first quarter vs. Auburn

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh09/20/25griffin_mcveigh
NCAA Football: Illinois State at Oklahoma
Aug 30, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (5) runs with the ball as Illinois State Redbirds defensive back CJ Richard Jr. (20) defends during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

For a few moments, Memorial Stadium in Norman fell quiet. Officials ruled Oklahoma wide receiver Isaiah Sategna fumbled, only for Auburn to pick the ball up and head the other way for a touchdown. A massive moment early in the game, temporarily giving the Tigers a 6-0 lead.

However, the replay booth decided to get involved to take another look at the play. After a long discussion, an overturn came from the SEC offices in Birmingham. Oklahoma potentially got away with one, keeping possession of the ball to keep zeros on the scoreboard.

As the ABC broadcast showed replays for us at home, ESPN’s Greg McElroy gave his opinion on the play. While this came before the official call, he wound up not agreeing with the decision. McElroy did not think there was going to be enough for the booth of overturn the decision.

“Looked like, initially, kind of bobbled it,” McElroy said. “But as he’s bringing it down, with that left hand, it did look like he might have had just enough. And, of course, it has to be indisputable video evidence, beyond all doubt to overturn… Just based on everything, I just don’t know if there’s enough to overturn the call. It’s very, very close and catch, no catch is a tough one to diagnose but did look like he secured it, ball was coming out before on the ground. Would not be that surprised if this got upheld.”

Rules official Matt Austin was on a different page than McElroy. He wound up agreeing with the reversal, saying Sategna never had possession of the ball. The famous term “football move” comes into play here and Austin also believes he never made one.

“I actually like that overturn,” Austin said. “Because I don’t think he ever completed the process. Yes, he had it for a second. But I don’t think he ever had control going to the ground. You’ve got to have it for a certain amount of time, you have to make a football act. Time to turn, tuck the ball away. I don’t think he had time to do it, I think that’s a good overturn.”

Tough to point at one play after four quarters but this is possibly something to file away. Auburn thought a big-time defensive touchdown swung momentum just minutes into the contest. Instead, Oklahoma fans let out a huge sigh of relief.