STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- An apparent officiating mix-up by an SEC crew cost Penn State Nittany Lions a down on an offensive series during the first half of Saturday's game against Auburn.
Trailing 10-7 early in the second quarter, Penn State punted to Auburn after referee James Carter ruled it was fourth-and-11. The Nittany Lions had been flagged for intentional grounding on first down, an automatic loss-of-down foul.
On second-and-16, quarterback Sean Clifford found wide receiver Jahan Dotson for a 5-yard gain. But then Carter announced the next play as fourth down and Penn State brought punter Jordan Stout onto the field.