Fans of the Florida State Seminoles and SMU Mustangs have already had to wait several months to watch their teams in action. That painful agony was finally about to dissipate with the two teams facing off on Monday night.
Unfortunately, spectators had to wait longer than anticipated after a near-two-hour power outage delayed the game. Even then, once the contest kicked off, Doak Campbell Stadium was without access to instant replay. The hope was that it wouldn’t be a big deal, as these referees are trained professionals.
Turns out, that was wishful thinking.
FSU Loses Out on Touchdown After ‘Insanely Bad Call’
An extremely controversial moment came with 5:35 remaining in the second quarter when Seminoles running back Ousmane Kromah broke loose for what should have been a 65-yard gain.
However, referees ruled Kromah out of bounds at the 31-yard line instead. Making matters worse, there was a 10-yard penalty added for an illegal block. Yet, the worst part may have been that the Seminoles only got three points out of the drive, rather than a chance at six, seven, or eight.
It didn’t take long for social media to erupt, directing their anger at what one commenter called an “insanely bad call.”
“What an insanely bad call. Never even came close to stepping out.”
What an insanely bad call. Never even came close to stepping out. pic.twitter.com/akirg45nFH
— FSU Plays Daily (@FSUplays) September 8, 2026
Fox Sports Knoxville’s Garrett Ambrust admitted that it was a “little hard to tell with the FSU sideline right there,” yet he was still “99.9% sure” that Kromah stayed within the field’s boundaries.
“It’s a little hard to tell with the FSU sideline right there… But I’m 99.9% sure Ousmane Kromah never stepped out of bounds. Brutal luck, as they only get a FG out of the drive.”
It’s a little hard to tell with the FSU sideline right there…
But I’m 99.9% sure Ousmame Kromah never stepped out of bounds. Brutal luck as they only get a FG out of the drive. pic.twitter.com/bRaUiST2Fv
— Garrett Armbrust (@4thandsaturday) September 8, 2026
Others agreed that Kromah never appeared to step out of bounds.
“Not having instant replay finally comes into play. Cause Kromah never stepped out of bounds,” one person remarked.
One Seminoles supporter called the call “awful.” “Ousmane Kromah never stepped out of bounds. That’s awful.”
Another called it “absolutely pathetic.”
Kromah never stepped out there
Absolutely pathetic
— Tomahawk Sports (@TomahawkSp0rts) September 8, 2026
One commenter insists Florida State should have had the ball at the 10-yard line.
“I have no idea how they marked Kromah out of bounds at the 31. Florida State should’ve had the ball at the 10.”
Also, I have no idea how they marked Kromah out of bounds at the 31.
Florida State should’ve had the ball at the 10. https://t.co/VeJ0bJWIJ5 pic.twitter.com/evKODBzkyI
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) September 8, 2026
The NCAA will have some questions to answer following the FSU-SMU game, but nothing they say can go back in time and change the way the call was ruled on the field. That’s history at this point.
For what it’s worth, Kromah later had a six-yard rush for a TD that led to FSU pulling level at 17-17 at the time of writing.
