FARGO, N.D. — ESPN broadcasters were emphatic in their belief that a third-quarter pass from North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance to Christian Watson that was ruled incomplete actually was a backward pass that should have been called a lateral.
From his spot on the sideline, Illinois State coach Brock Spack felt the same way.
ISU cornerback Charles Woods picked up the loose ball and was running down the sideline toward the end zone when the play was blown dead. In a 9-3 Bison victory that did not feature a touchdown, the call loomed gigantic in the FCS playoff quarterfinal.