Refereeing has always proven a sore subject for a sports coach on the wrong end of a dramatic result.
Eli Drinkwitz took his place on the list of those dealt such a hand on Saturday, forced to answer the call after No. 18 Missouri fell to No. 7 Texas, 34-20.
The Tigers were equal to the Longhorns’ challenge for much of the contest, taking the lead three times against their highly-touted opposition. They were set back by two late-game scores — as well as a handful of curious refereeing decisions.
With that, here’s how Drinkwitz reacted to the officiating that was present in Saturday afternoon’s match.
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What did Eli Drinkwitz says about controversial calls in Missouri’s loss to Texas?
Drinkwitz opted against getting into the particulars of the officiating from Saturday’s game, taking the high road when queried on what he thought about the referees’ interpretations of some of the game’s more contentious calls.
“If I say what I want to say, I’m going to get fined until I don’t have any retirement,” Drinkwitz said. “I’m not going to blame the officials. That would be disrespectful to Coach Sarkisian & his team.”
Drinkwitz’s words underline his respect for Sarkisian, a coaching veteran caught Drinkwitz’s eye when he was coaching at Washington and USC. They also appear to insinuate that Drinkwitz was not particularly satisfied with the rulings put forth by Saturday’s officiating crew.
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What were the controversial calls in Missouri’s loss to Texas?
The Tigers and Longhorns’ clash didn’t quite go down to the wire, with a pair of late Texas touchdowns proving the distance. The match was filled with tension, however, much of which came from unconvincing refereeing.
Missouri benefitted from some of the chaos, seeing what initially looked like a fumble inside of its own territory overturned due to forward progress.
This was ruled a non-fumble by the refs..thoughts? Texas and Missouri tied at 10 at the halftime! https://t.co/iGFfaEsKh6
— EssentiallySports (@ES_sportsnews) November 7, 2026
The Tigers were on the wrong side of umpires’ whistle later, seeing an apparent Arch Manning incompletion ruled a fumble on third down. The Longhorns recovered the “fumble” past the sticks, keeping their drive alive and moving them deeper into Missouri territory.
They are ruling this is a fumble and Texas will get a 12 yard gain https://t.co/lVhCA4wMwu
— gmannVOLS (@gmannVOLS) November 7, 2026
They would go on to score on the possession, leveling the score at 20 apiece and setting the stage for their fourth-quarter outburst that would secure them the win.
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