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WATCH: Oklahoma defensive lineman scoops and scores before halftime

James Fletcher IIIby:James Fletcher III•11/20/21•

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William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After two scoring drives to open the game, defense ruled the first half in Oklahoma’s Senior Day matchup against Iowa State. Tied 7-7 with 24 seconds left in the second quarter, Iowa State looked to take the lead, but surrendered a rare big man touchdown instead.

On third-and-21 from the Oklahoma 39-yard line, Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy scrambled to his left looking for a hail Mary but was hit hard at the line of scrimmage. The ball flew backward out of his hand and rolled deep into the backfield. Oklahoma defensive lineman Jalen Redmond scooped the ball and ran 42 yards for the big man touchdown.

The defensive score gave Oklahoma a 14-7 lead with nine seconds left in the quarter. The Cyclones opted to run out the remaining clock and regroup at halftime.

Controversial call in Oklahoma vs Iowa State

On the opening drive of Saturday’s Big 12 showdown between Oklahoma and Iowa State, controversy prevailed. After a fumble on the goal line ended up bouncing through the endzone, discussion quickly began over touchdown or touchback rulings, as well as catch versus incompletion discussions. However, when the smoke cleared and the officials spotted the ball, none of that came into play.

On third-and-18 from the Oklahoma 26-yard line, Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy passed to wide receiver Joe Scales. As he crossed the goal line, Oklahoma cornerback DJ Graham stripped the ball, which tumbled out of bounds inside the endzone.

After a lengthy discussion from the FOX Sports broadcast crew about touchdown and touchback rulings, the referee announced his decision.

In the end, the referee decided to place the ball at the Oklahoma half-yard line and give Iowa State first-and-goal. He then offered up the following explanation.

“There are multiple aspects of the play to review,” said the Oklahoma vs Iowa State referee. “It is a catch, then the receiver fumbled the ball by it being ripped out of his control. The loose ball touched the Oklahoma player – who was out of bounds – and the ball – at that point – was at the half-yard line. By rule the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble. It’s first-and-goal for Iowa State.”