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The Big 12 has temporarily suspended a refereeing crew that called a rivalry game between Missouri and Kansas. The reasoning relates to a rulebook oversight that aided a conference member’s SEC foe.
Speculation about the blown call has arisen on social media. Details on the play in question are now becoming clearer.
Missouri beat Kansas 42-31 in college football action in Week 2. Early in the game, the Tigers were the beneficiary of an officiating error.
Mizzou took a 6-0 lead on an Ahmad Hardy touchdown run. The extra point was blocked.
An unsportsmanlike penalty was called on the Tigers touchdown, backing the ensuing kickoff up 15 yards. It forced the unit to kick from its own 20-yard line after the score.
Controversy surrounds what happened next.
Big 12 suspends referees over blown call.
Missouri was allowed to punt as opposed to kicking off the ground. It shouldn’t have been.
RULE 2, SECTION 16: Kicks; Kicking the ball
ARTICLE 6 – A kickoff is a free kick that starts each half and follows each try or successful field goal attempt (Exception: In extra periods); It must be a place kick or a drop kick.
The conference released a statement on the blunder after the fact. The referees will be removed from their Week 3 assignment.
“We believe we have one of the best officiating programs in college football,” said Chief Football & Competition Officer Scott Draper. “When the Conference’s high standard for officiating is not met, the Big 12 will take action.”
From the Big 12: “The Big 12 officials in Saturday’s Kansas-Missouri game allowed a punt to occur on a free kick in violation of Rule 2 Section 16 Article 6 of NCAA Football rules. That Big 12 officiating crew has been removed from its next scheduled assignment on 9/12.”
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 9, 2025
How did it benefit Missouri?
Typically, we see punts occur after safeties. For that reason, many speculated that the call was missed following a Kansas fumble that was recovered in the endzone to award the Tigers two points in the second quarter.
That is not the case.
I found the play
After #Mizzou’s first touchdown they illegally punted the ball on the kickoff
Rule 2 Section 16 Article 6 states that a kickoff must be a place kick or drop kick (ball touches ground first)
This should have been a 5 yard penalty for the Tigers and a rekick https://t.co/qMXVmgKqzL pic.twitter.com/rjw7CBXgjV
— Grant (@Grant_salsman) September 9, 2025
Missouri would be allowed to punt in a safety scenario. That rule does not apply to touchdowns.
Punting is a tactical move used by the kicking team. It allows for more hangtime, decreasing the possibility of a long return.
In this case, the Jayhawks gained just nine yards after the ball was fielded. The defense surrounded the return man as soon as he made the catch. Kansas was unable to maximize field position despite Missouri’s unsportsmanlike miscue.
Moreover, the Tigers should’ve been penalized another five yards to further back the special teams unit. They were not. Officials did not properly enforce a re-kick.
The play wouldn’t prove too costly as Kansas scored a touchdown on the drive to take a 7-6 lead. Still, it could’ve. The league took swift action in the form of a suspension for the refereeing crew.