Former college football referee says Alabama’s muffed punt vs South Carolina should have been overturned

Oct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Lex Cyrus (0) and teammates celebrate a fumble recovery from the Alabama Crimson Tide on a punt in the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Former college football referee, Terry McAulay feels Alabama football’s muffed punt against South Carolina should have been overturned.

The Gamecocks gained possession of the football in the fourth quarter of the game when a punt bounced off Jaylen Mbakwe, resulting in a muffed punt. The Gamecocks jumped on the football and set their offense up to take a touchdown lead over the Tide.

McAuley revealed the muffed punt should have been overturned due to an ‘illegal block’ in a post to X.

“There are actually two issues here: 1. It is a foul for an illegal block in the back. 2. The receiving team player being block is considered “passive” since he is not actively engaged with the kicking team player. That block forces him into the ball. Since he is considered “passive”, he is deemed *not* to have touched the ball. Assuming no one else from the receiving team touched the before the kickers, the ball should belong to the receiving team at the spot of the kicking team recovery,” McAulay posted to X.

There are actually two issues here:

1. It is a foul for an illegal block in the back.
2. The receiving team player being block is considered “passive” since he is not actively engaged with the kicking team player. That block forces him into the ball. Since he is considered… https://t.co/UZrum76x7X

— Terry McAulay (@tjmcaulay) October 26, 2025

Fortunately for Alabama football, it was able to storm back and defeat the Gamecocks.