Controversy as refs cost Houston in close game vs. Texas

Houston appeared to have a first down in a close game against Texas, but lost after officials ruled the Cougars short. Were they right?

Houston football fans are furious with the officials from Saturday's game against Texas after the Cougars ended up on the wrong end of some very questionable ball placement late in regulation with the game on the line.

Down by a touchdown, the Cougars were within striking distance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. Houston back Stacy Sneed appeared to have taken the ball to the Longhorns 9-yard line and past the line to gain. But the refs thought otherwise.

They set the ball a yard short of the sticks, and Houston quarterback Donovan Smith's subsequent pass was incomplete, handing possession back to Texas.

Houston was marked short here pic.twitter.com/Cp1JPbyHXC

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 21, 2023

Back with the ball, Texas ran out the clock and won the 7-point game, moving to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play, staying within reach of the conference title chase.

Conversely, the Cougars dropped to 3-4 overall and just 1-3 in conference play, with that one victory coming off the team's dramatic, last-second win over West Virginia.

Initially, it looked like the fourth quarter wouldn't relevant to this game as the Longhorns opened up a quick 21-0 lead in the first half, but Houston stormed back and scored 21 unanswered points to tie the game in the third frame.

CJ Baxter ran for a touchdown that gave the Longhorns a lead after that.

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