Okay, maybe that’s a bit of hyperbole, but it wasn’t a good call.
In the final minute of the first half, with the game tied at 17 after Alabama roared back with 17 unanswered points, Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer was tackled for a one-yard gain on third-and-5 to set up what should have been a fourth-and-4 at the Oklahoma 30-yard line. Kalen DeBoer, then, would have been able to call his final timeout of the half with 22 seconds left to get the ball back. Considering that Alabama had already blocked a punt that was turned into a field goal, that would have been a potentially massive play.
Instead, there was a massive swing. Alabama was flagged 15-yards for sideline interference, which gave the Sooners a new set of downs at the 47-yard line with the clock stopped and 22 seconds left. Alabama ultimately kept Oklahoma out of field goal range, and the clock ran out on a wild first half in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Alabama flagged for sideline interference at the end of the first half
Here’s a look at what prompted the flag to be thrown:
The Sideline interference penalty on Alabama 30+yds down the field... It was gonna be 4th down & a punt for Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/OEPDCMBDqU
— 🜲 🜲 🜲 (@fsh733) December 20, 2025
By the letter of the law, yes, that is a penalty, 15 yards for sideline interference. Alabama’s coaches were in the white of the sideline and made contact with the official as he tracked the receiver on the far side of the play. However, when something like that occurs, it is almost always met with a warning, especially when it’s so far away from the play and has no impact on it.
Then, consider the magnitude of the game and the specific situation in which the flag is being thrown, on a third down that could have led to a change of possession in the postseason. Now, does any of that context change the fact that it is a 15-yard penalty if you’re in the way of an official on the sideline and make contact with them? No. But the context still matters, because no one should want the outcome of a game determined by something so obviously inconsequential.
Ultimately, it amounted to nothing. Oklahoma didn’t end up putting points on the board to end the half. However, neither did Alabama, and the Crimson Tide would have had the chance were it not for the flag. It won’t be remembered in the retelling of this game, but the penalty could have been a major swing.