Fans Rip Officials Overturning Near Touchdown Pass for LSU vs. Clemson

The referees controversially overturned LSU WR Barion Brown's catch versus Clemson.

Officials controversially called back LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas's catch versus Clemson. / ESPN/ABC

A potential LSU touchdown pass was controversially overturned during their game against Clemson on Saturday night in Death Valley. In the primetime showdown between No. 9 LSU and No. 4 Clemson with the game tied 10-10, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier appeared to complete a pass down the field to wide receiver Barion Brown on 2nd-and-11 in the third quarter. The play was initially ruled first-and-goal at the one-yard line, but went under review to see if Brown had actually gone in for a touchdown.

That LSU catch/TD that was incomplete, didn't control the ball when it hit the ground pic.twitter.com/GapXjT0AgO

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) August 31, 2025

Rather than declaring the play a touchdown, the pass was surprisingly called incomplete as Brown lost possession of the football at the end of the catch.

The call not only cost LSU a touchdown, but a massive opportunity to take the momentum and lead in the game. LSU got the ball after intercepting Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, and seemingly converted that to a touchdown, or at least a first-and-goal opportunity. Instead, they had to settle for a field goal attempt, which was missed.

Clemson got the ball back after the field goal and punted, and LSU then capitalized with a touchdown to take a 17-10 lead. However, the lead could have potentially been 24-10 had Brown's catch not been shockingly overturned.

The call by the officials upset fans and viewers watching the game, with many believing the play was clearly a catch.

That’s a trash call!! Catch LSU! Cmon

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 31, 2025

Pure, unmitigated rage coursing through my body over a call in a game I have zero investment in…football officially back 😍

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) August 31, 2025

The replay booth said pic.twitter.com/Vb3FNODMY6

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) August 31, 2025

Not sure I remember a replay like that LSU one where TV spent 5 minutes debating Option A (TD) or Option B (no TD), only for it to get announced as Option C (incomplete).

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) August 31, 2025

That’ll go down as one of the worst calls of the season. LSU robbed of an amazing highlight.

— Joe Osborne (@JTFOz) August 31, 2025

That's a TD for LSU……. He scored then lost the ball….. Once you cross/ hit the pylon, it's a touchdown!

— Troy (@RouteSomn) August 31, 2025

These NCAA catch rules are crazy. That was a TD. And I’m no LSU fan.#LSUvsCLEM

— Truth Seeker (@conebread77) August 31, 2025

Clemson fans booing and throwing stuff after the gift the refs gave them is crazy.

— Brandon Walker (@BFW) August 31, 2025

Terrible no catch call. Was clearly a touchdown #LSUvsCLEM

— jacob carbaugh (@CarbaughJacob) August 31, 2025

Wow... that was a Touchdown. LSU got robbed.

— Skubie Mageza (@SkubieMageza) August 31, 2025

They screwed LSU out of touchdown

— Jake “JBOY” Crain (@JakeCrain_) August 31, 2025

How is this an incomplete pass lmao the LSU wr literally had possession when he hit the ground pic.twitter.com/mFqtnpWcUo

— John (@iam_johnw) August 31, 2025

That was an LSU touchdown. They got hosed.

— JT (@Jaberuski) August 31, 2025

LSU fans seeing that catch get overturned: pic.twitter.com/qnTA7MF6ST

— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) August 31, 2025

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