SEC Calls Out Refs for Missing Oklahoma's 'Hideout Tactic' in Win vs. Auburn

Oklahoma defeated Auburn by a touchdown in Saturday's SEC showdown.

It turns out, one of the Sooners' touchdowns shouldn't have even counted.

The SEC released a statement after Oklahoma's 24-17 victory that said the officials missed a "hideout tactic" play in the second quarter that resulted in a touchdown for the home team. The play violated NCAA football rule G-2, Article 2 and should have instead resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of 15 yards:

According to the rule, "No simulated replacements or substitutions may be used to confuse opponents. No tactic associated with substitutions or the substitutions process may be used to confuse the opponent. This includes any hideout tactic with or without a substitution."

ESPN's Eli Lederman explained that Isaiah Sategna walked toward Oklahoma's sideline before the snap and appeared to "feign a substitution" before remaining on the field and then running down the sideline wide open. 

He hauled in a 24-yard touchdown catch from quarterback John Mateer, which put the Sooners ahead after the game was previously tied 3-3.

"If properly officiated, the second down play should have resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of 15 yards assessed from the previous spot," the statement said. "Appropriate accountability will be applied without additional comment."

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables told reporters his team confirmed with officials and was told "everything's good and legal," although Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said he attempted to call timeout before the snap when he realized what was happening.

"They said they didn't hear us trying to call timeout," Freeze said. "We were instructed all offseason about deception plays and things. So we'll see what's said. I really don't know what will be said about that."

The Tigers came back to tie the game before halftime and even took the lead in the fourth quarter after a Malcolm Simmons touchdown run. However, Mateer directed a six-play 75-yard drive that he capped off with a touchdown run to put Oklahoma ahead 22-17 in the final minutes.

From there, the Sooners tallied a safety and recovered the ensuing onside kick to win 24-17.

Oklahoma is now 4-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while Auburn fell to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the league. Mateer bolstered his Heisman campaign by throwing for 271 yards, one touchdown and zero interception while scoring the winning touchdown with his legs.

Still, his one touchdown pass shouldn't have counted.