Refs’ explanation to Kalen DeBoer about Ryan Williams’ overthrown TD in Alabama vs Oklahoma

Alabama football needed something, anything, to get the offense going against Oklahoma.

It looked like it finally got it from Ryan Williams in the fourth quarter. Williams leapt and caught a 34-yard pass for a touchdown on fourth down with 14:07 left.

That would have made the game 24-10. Still a sizable deficit to Alabama, but quite a bit better than 24-3.

The officials threw a flag on the play. No touchdown. Illegal touching was the call. And it’s a loss of downs, so Oklahoma got the ball.

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer got heated on the sideline with the official.

After no. 7 Alabama lost to the Sooners 24-3 Saturday in Norman, Okla., DeBoer was asked what explanation the officials gave him.

“They said it was an illegal touch, so somebody had to be covered,” DeBoer said. “You know, not eligible.”

That was the extent of DeBoer’s answer to the question. Short and specific. He did not explain or give h

During the game, ABC rules analyst Bill LeMonnier called it an incorrect call.

“I personally don’t see the cover-up there,” LeMonnier said on the broadcast. “I’ve got two (receivers) in the backfield to the right and one guy upfield.”

Maybe the touchdown count wouldn’t have changed the outcome of the game. Maybe it would have. But regardless, Alabama played an ugly brand of football and should never have been in the position it was, down three touchdowns to an Oklahoma team that had won just one other SEC game.