ACC officials let controversial NC State touchdown stand despite receiver stepping out of bounds

In a game that was otherwise turning into a rather unremarkable blowout for visiting Syracuse, North Carolina State pulled out a late lifeline with a long touchdown to cut the margin to 10 points. But it appears the play shouldn’t have counted.

Trailing 24-7, Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey connected with Noah Rodgers on a roll out and scramble drill. Rodgers got behind the defense and scampered for 75 yards and a score with 9:31 left in the game. His score gave NC State an opening to climb back into the game.

Then, replays appeared to show Rodgers stepping out of bounds and then back in of his own volition before he caught the ball — before any one else touched it — which should result in an illegal touching penalty. That penalty is reviewable, but the play ultimately stood and the Wolfpack carved into the lead and trailed, 24-14.

On review, this TD was allowed to stand by NC State against Syracuse. What do I say? There’s no refs like ACC refs. pic.twitter.com/5rdaRhRUoZ

— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) October 13, 2024

Syracuse would respond with a drive down the field that didn’t yield a touchdown or field goal but chewed up a significant portion of clock.

The Wolfpack got the ball back and drove deep into Orange territory, settling for a field goal to cut the lead to a score before attempting an onside, which Syracuse recovered en-route to a 24-17 win.

This is not the ACC’s first replay debacle of late

The ACC issued a statement on the controversial call that ended the Friday night matchup between Virginia Tech and Miami.

With three seconds left on the game clock, VT QB Kyron Drones launched a 30-yard bomb to Da’Quan Felton, who hauled in the miraculous Hail Mary. However, after nearly 10 minutes of deliberation, the referees overturned the call and Miami walked away with a 38-34 triumph.

“During the review process of the last play,” the statement read, “It was determined that the loose ball was touched by a Miami player while he was out of bounds which makes it an incomplete pass and immediately ends the play.”

There were obviously mixed reactions to the ending of what became a classic between Virginia Tech and Miami.

After the game, Miami QB Cam Ward didn’t hesitate to take to social media. In the win, Cam Ward completed 24-of-his-38 pass attempts for 348 passing yards and four touchdowns while throwing two interceptions. It’s only the latest standout performance for the Heisman Trophy candidate.

Ward’s choice of emojis in his post mimics his famous touchdown celebration. After the senior QB finds the end zone, he’ll often cover his face with one hand while waving his other hand in front of him. The post is salt in the wound for Virginia Tech fans, who took issue with the game’s controversial ending.

Virginia Tech fans weren’t the only ones who didn’t agree with the referees’ decision in favor of Miami. ESPN analyst Andre Ware believed the call shouldn’t have been overturned and sympathized with the Hokies faithful.

“A lot of conversations about that because I just don’t know where you see it on the replay to reverse the call on the field,” Ware said. “And had it been called incomplete, see it that way. I just thought the ruling – whatever was called on the field should stand. That’s tough.”