Busted Line
When the referees threw a flag on what appeared to the final play of the game, a few gamblers across the country cringed. The officials had just called a defensive holding call on Arkansas, moments after a pass by Troy backup quarterback Tanner Jones to Fred Turner fell incomplete. The penalty moved the ball to Arkansas’ 2-yard line and gave the Trojans an extra play with no time left on the clock. A game can’t end on a defensive penalty, after all.
Why was it a big deal? The betting line was set at 23. 5 points. Arkansas led by 26 at that point. But seconds later that would change. Jones scored on a two-yard run with the clock still at zero. Arkansas’ final margin of victory was now 20. The Razorbacks celebrated, satisfied with their 46-26 win.
But not all Arkansas supporters were as happy. A disgusted fan who apparently had bet the over voiced his displeasure at the end of the game.
“I had $250 on that, you maggots,” he cried.
I wondered where that last score came from. I had turned the game off right before then thinking it was over.