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The Texas Longhorns football program has long been a powerhouse in college football, rich with tradition and success. With national championships, legendary players, and a loyal fanbase, the Longhorns have earned their place as one of the most storied programs in the sport. However, along with the highs, Texas has also experienced its fair share of controversy—none more so than moments that involved highly contentious calls on the field. Over the years, a number of decisions made by referees and officials have sparked debate, controversy, and downright frustration among Longhorns fans, opponents, and neutral observers alike.

In an interesting twist of fate, two such controversial calls have earned their place in a list of the top 10 most controversial calls in college football history. These two moments, representing both triumph and heartbreak for Texas, have lingered in the minds of fans and analysts alike, reminding everyone of the human element that remains a constant in college football.

In this post, we’ll revisit these two infamous calls—one that helped Texas claim victory and another that led to a heartbreaking loss—and explore their lasting impact on the team, the sport, and the fans.

### **1. The 2005 Big 12 Championship: The “Phantom” Pass Interference Call Against Texas**

To set the stage, we need to rewind to the 2005 Big 12 Championship Game, where the Texas Longhorns were facing off against the Colorado Buffaloes. Texas, with their dynamic quarterback Vince Young and an explosive offense, was heavily favored to win. However, the game would go down as one of the most controversial and dramatic in college football history, largely due to a controversial penalty in the closing moments of the game that would forever be etched in Longhorns lore.

With just under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Longhorns holding a slim lead, the Colorado Buffaloes were making a valiant effort to drive down the field and potentially take the game into overtime—or even pull off a miraculous upset. On a crucial third-down play, Colorado quarterback Joel Klatt threw a pass to wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who appeared to have made a spectacular catch. However, the officials called defensive pass interference on Texas cornerback Michael Huff, who had been in close coverage on Marshall.

The call was widely criticized as being questionable, with many arguing that Huff had done nothing more than contest the ball fairly. In fact, some observers even suggested that Marshall had initiated the contact, making the penalty even more dubious. The controversy escalated as replay footage showed that Huff had maintained solid coverage without committing an infraction. The penalty moved Colorado into field goal range, and with just seconds left, the Buffaloes had a chance to send the game into overtime with a potential game-tying field goal.

Fortunately for Texas, the Buffaloes missed the field goal, and the Longhorns narrowly escaped with a 70-3 victory. While Texas went on to win the game and ultimately secure a berth in the BCS National Championship, this controversial call left many feeling that the officials had robbed Colorado of an opportunity to compete for the game’s outcome. It was an unsettling reminder that even in crucial moments, officiating can sometimes be subjective, leading to outcomes that are far from definitive.

### **2. The 2020 Red River Rivalry: The “Inverted” Touchdown Call**

Fast forward to 2020, and Texas would again find itself on the receiving end of a controversial call in one of the most iconic matchups in college football—the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma. The rivalry between these two programs is one of the fiercest in all of college football, and each year, the contest is guaranteed to provide drama, excitement, and of course, controversy. In 2020, the Longhorns entered the game with a lot to prove under head coach Tom Herman, but the game would end in a dramatic and contentious way.

The controversial moment came in the second quarter, when Texas appeared to have scored a touchdown that would have given them a crucial lead over the Sooners. Running back Roschon Johnson took a handoff and surged into the end zone, appearing to break the plane with the ball and secure the touchdown. However, after reviewing the play, officials reversed the original call, ruling that Johnson’s knee had touched the ground just inches before the ball crossed the goal line.

This decision sparked an outcry from Texas fans and even neutral observers who believed the call was flawed. The replays seemed inconclusive, and many felt that the ball had indeed broken the plane of the end zone before Johnson’s knee made contact with the ground. In the heat of the moment, the reversal seemed particularly frustrating for Longhorns fans, especially given that Oklahoma had a knack for making comebacks in the rivalry’s history.

The reversal was only one of many turning points in a wild, back-and-forth game. Ultimately, the Longhorns lost the game to the Sooners in a dramatic fashion, 53-45, in four overtimes. While the controversial touchdown reversal wasn’t the sole reason for Texas’ defeat, it was undeniably a key moment in a game filled with missed opportunities. The call added fuel to the fire of an already emotional rivalry, and it was difficult to escape the sense that the Longhorns had been unfairly denied a score that could have helped change the course of the game.

### **The Legacy of Controversial Calls in Texas Football**

Both of these controversial calls—one in a win and one in a loss—serve as important chapters in the history of Texas Longhorns football. For some, they represent a painful reminder of how the smallest of moments can shape the outcome of a season, while for others, they are part of the rich tapestry of college football drama. Regardless of the outcome, these calls remind us that the human element of officiating will always be present, and that a single decision can resonate long after the final whistle.

For the Longhorns, the 2005 Big 12 Championship game remains a bittersweet moment in program history. While they went on to win the national championship in 2005, there is a sense that the officiating controversy against Colorado—coupled with the thrilling victory—has left a lasting legacy in the minds of fans. Similarly, the 2020 Red River Rivalry has become a point of frustration for Longhorns fans who felt that the reversal of Johnson’s apparent touchdown was a pivotal moment in a game that could have easily gone in Texas’ favor.

These calls remind us of the volatility of college football, where moments of glory and heartbreak often hang by the thinnest of margins. Texas Longhorns fans have seen their team both victimized and vindicated by controversial calls over the years. But ultimately, these moments are woven into the fabric of the program, adding layers of drama and intrigue to an already compelling narrative.

### **Conclusion: The Drama of College Football**

In the end, controversial calls are an unavoidable part of college football. They are the stuff of legends—whether they lead to elation or devastation. The Texas Longhorns, with their storied history and passionate fanbase, have been at the center of some of the most memorable and divisive moments in college football. From the “phantom” pass interference call against Colorado in 2005 to the contentious touchdown reversal against Oklahoma in 2020, the Longhorns have been both the beneficiary and victim of officiating decisions that have fueled debates for years.

As long as college football continues to be a game defined by human error, these types of controversial calls will remain part of the experience. For Texas fans, it’s just another chapter in a long and storied history filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. Ultimately, these controversial moments are what make college football so thrilling—and so agonizing.