Mutual Combat on Final Play: Why Pass Interference Wasn’t Called in Miami vs Ole Miss CFP Semifinal

Mutual Combat on Final Play: Why Pass Interference Wasn’t Called in Miami vs Ole Miss CFP Semifinal image

Miami defeated Ole Miss 31-27 in Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff championship game. The victory came after a controversial no-call on the game’s final play.

Carson Beck scored the winning touchdown on a rushing play with 18 seconds remaining. But it was the final Hail Mary attempt that has everyone talking.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw a deep pass into the left corner of the end zone as time expired. The pass fell incomplete, but replays showed Miami defensive back Ethan O’Connor appeared to grab receiver De’Zhaun Stribling’s jersey before the ball arrived.

Officials ruled the play “mutual combat” and didn’t throw a flag.

The controversial final play

The Rebels trailed by four points when Chambliss launched his desperation pass. In real time, it looked like a clean defensive play with Miami defenders converging on the ball.

Additional camera angles told a different story. O’Connor was clearly tugging Stribling’s jersey before the ball got there. When Stribling dove for the pass, multiple Hurricanes defenders swarmed him as the ball hit the ground.

ESPN’s rules expert called it “mutual combat” between both players.

Many fans disagreed. They saw O’Connor interfering before both players got tangled up near the ball.

Former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin weighed in with his opinion.

Current Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding was asked about the play after the game but declined to comment on the officiating.

What is mutual combat?

Mutual combat refers to when both a receiver and defensive back are equally physical with each other. Officials often let these plays go without throwing flags because both players are engaging in the same behavior.

The concept applies when both players are hand-fighting or being physical. If one player is clearly more aggressive or interfering, that’s different. But when it’s reciprocal contact, officials sometimes just let them play.

It’s essentially saying both players were doing the same thing to each other.

Pass interference rules explained

Defensive pass interference happens when a defender significantly prevents a receiver from catching a pass beyond the line of scrimmage. This includes grabbing, pushing, or tripping the receiver before the ball arrives.

The rule only applies to forward passes that travel beyond the neutral zone.

In college football, defensive pass interference results in a first down at the spot of the foul.

Fiesta Bowl pass interference history

This wasn’t the first time a Fiesta Bowl ended with pass interference controversy. The 2003 BCS national championship game between Miami and Ohio State featured one of the most debated calls in college football history.

With Miami appearing to win 24-17 in overtime, official Terry Porter threw a late flag for pass interference against Miami’s Glenn Sharpe. The call came several seconds after the play ended, long enough for the Hurricanes to start celebrating what they thought was a national title.

Ohio State got new life from the penalty. The Buckeyes tied the game and won in double overtime.

The controversy centered on how long Porter waited to throw the flag. Miami players were already celebrating when the yellow flag finally appeared.

That call remains one of the most controversial in college football history. Thursday’s no-call might be heading in the same direction.

Tom Wilson avatar
Tom Wilson