"Ohio State got screwed": CFB Fans call out referees' controversial call in Penn State's clash against the Buckeyes 

Will Howard made a costly mistake during the game between the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions and the No.4 Ohio State Buckeyes.

The quarterback fumbled with the ball on the goal line, sending it out of play in the endzone. This was seen as a touchback, and the Nittany Lions were awarded the possession.

Fans reacted to this play and its subsequent decision on X.

"Damn Ohio state got screwed so bad. What a terrible rule. A fumble automatically goes to the defense in that situation? #Buckeyes," a fan tweeted.

Some took to X to give their opinion of Howard.

"Will Howard is going to cost them this game," one fan tweeted.

"He ain't much better than McCord," another fan tweeted.

Some discussed the significance of the fumble and touchback in the game.

"Recovering the ball in a critical moment like that can swing momentum their way, especially in a close matchup," a fan tweeted.

"What a wild play! Turning a fumble into a turnover like that can really shift the momentum. Penn State has a chance to capitalize on it now!" Another fan tweeted.

Why was the play a touchback?

The play ended in a touchback because Howard couldn't execute a broken play before the ball went out of play. This is supported by the official NCAA rulebook, which says:

"When a fumble or backward pass goes out of bounds or beyond a goal line, it is a safety or a touchback depending on impetus and responsibility."

If the same play happened on the Ohio State goal line, Howard's fumble would have resulted in a safety.

What happened after Will Howard's fumble?

The fumble and subsequent touch were backhanded possessions to the Nittany Lions.

But did they capitalize on this and turn it into points?

Penn State started this drive from its 20-yard line, and quarterback Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions offense moved the ball down to the 50-yard line.

However, they couldn't go any further, with the drive ending in a punt.