Jacksonville State’s Wild Play Highlights Midweek College Football Action

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A bizarre moment unfolded Wednesday night during a Conference USA game between Jacksonville State and Middle Tennessee, capturing the attention of college football fans.

With just four seconds left in the first half and facing a 4th-and-4 from the Jacksonville State 48-yard line, Blue Raiders quarterback Nicholas Vattiato launched a Hail Mary pass. The ball was intercepted by Gamecocks safety Caleb Nix near the five-yard line, leading to an unexpected series of events.

As Nix fell out of bounds around the Middle Tennessee 25-yard line, he tossed the ball back into play. Jacksonville State’s Travis Franklin picked it up inside the 20 and raced to the two-yard line before losing control of the ball. The ball then traveled into the back of the end zone, where Walker O’Steen of Jacksonville State jumped on it for what was initially ruled a touchdown.

Commentators Clay Matvick and Chase Daniel, calling the game for ESPN2, expressed their disbelief over the play. “There is so much to unpack and so much wrong with what we just saw,” Matvick noted. Daniel added with a laugh, “You can’t throw it forward!”

The play was reviewed, and officials determined Nix had stepped out of bounds before passing the ball. Consequently, the touchdown was overturned. Despite the rollercoaster moment, Jacksonville State secured a 24-21 victory on the road.