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Athlon Sports
Fans in Disbelief After Oregon’s DeSean Jackson Moment vs. Boise State
By Matt Wadleigh,
4 hours ago
For the second straight week, the Oregon Ducks played a closer game than many expected. In Week 1, they defeated Idaho 24-14. In Week 2, they topped Boise State 37-34 on a last-second field goal.
However, this game will be discussed for quite some time due to a controversial call. With the Ducks training by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Noah Whittington returned the kickoff 100 yards to tie the game and send the Autzen Stadium crowd into a frenzy.
The replay showed that Whittington let go of the ball right before he crossed the goal line, although it was immediately reviewed and confirmed to be a touchdown.
It was certainly a questionable call by the officiating, and it sparked plenty of discussions.
"Idk what camera the refs at the Oregon-Boise State game we’re looking at, but that kickoff return was not a touchdown," Isaiah Phelps wrote on X . "He very clearly, blatantly dropped it before crossing the goal line."
Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning on the sidelines.
Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports
One of the most common memories is of DeSean Jackson, who did the same thing when he was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The DeSean Jackson tweets kept on coming as well.
"Can’t believe Desean Jackson decided to commit to going back to school at Oregon.."
Pro Football Talk also had the same thought.
"That was a DeSean Jackson fumble at the goal line in Oregon and the refs and replay review blew it."
Per the official box score from ESPN, it turns out that Jayden Limar was credited with the touchdown as he was the one who "recovered" Whittington's fumble.
Others were left confused by the play, which initially seemed to be a touchdown for Whittington.
"Noah Whittington 10000% dropped the ball before scoring. What a lucky break."
Even Oregon fans admitted that he dropped the ball before the endzone.
"As an Oregon fan he dropped this ball prior to scoring."
Another fan had the same thought.
"Noah Whittington absolutely dropped the ball before crossing the goal line #rigged."
The replay had fans questioning whether or not he dropped it before.
"Oregon’s Noah Whittington runs the kickoff back 100 yards for the td but appears to drop the ball before crossing the goal line. The refs reviewed and CONFIRMED it as a td. Idk, looks like he dropped it early," another fan wrote on X .
A bettor backing Oregon also had the same thought.
"Uhm, I do not believe Noah Whittington held onto that ball before crossing the goal line and I have Oregon here."
ESPN reporter Paolo Uggetti also shared his thoughts.
"The quickness with which they confirmed he *didn't* drop the ball before was shocking. It kind of looked like he did!"
It was a controversial moment in the game, and the touchdown ended up making it a 34-34 tie.
All in all, the Ducks would later go on to win the game on a last-second field goal.
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