Herbstreit Flags Missed Horse-Collar Call on Manning Pick

Former SEC referee Matt Austin agreed with the ESPN analyst's assessment of the LSU interception play.

Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Football

Expressive sports illustration of a football player in a burnt-orange jersey throwing mid-motion with a purple-and-gold defender blurred behind, bold brush-stroke texture. — Texas defensive lineman Jordan Ross was not flagged for a horse-collar penalty on Arch Manning's interception during Texas's November 14 loss to LSU, as Kirk Herbstreit pointed out. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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During Texas's game against LSU on November 14, Kirk Herbstreit called out a missed horse-collar penalty on LSU defensive lineman Jordan Ross after Arch Manning's pass was intercepted. No flag was thrown, and LSU defensive back Ty Benefield returned the interception 31 yards to the Texas 16-yard line.

Why it matters

The play has drawn debate among fans over whether officials erred on the horse-collar call and whether Texas committed holding on the same sequence. A horse-collar penalty would have nullified the interception and given Texas a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down.

The interception return covered 31 yards to the Texas 16-yard line, and a horse-collar flag would have carried a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down. Whether officials should have made that call has not been addressed by any official review in the available reporting.

The players

Kirk Herbstreit

Herbstreit is a longtime ESPN college football analyst and former Ohio State quarterback known for his on-air commentary during major college broadcasts.

Matt Austin

Austin is a former SEC football referee who offered his assessment of the play on the broadcast, agreeing with Herbstreit's view.

Arch Manning

Manning is a Texas quarterback and member of the Manning family of NFL-linked football players, whose interception against LSU was the center of the debate.

The details

An LSU defender grabbed the back collar area of Manning's shoulder pads and jersey as he released the ball, dragging him backward. The off-balance throw sailed high, allowing Benefield to make the interception, and Herbstreit highlighted the contact on the broadcast, which Jomboy Media later shared on X on November 15.

October 24, 2026: Texas beat No. 7 Ole Miss 34-27, in a game where Ole Miss defensive back Jalyn Crawford intercepted a Manning pass in the fourth quarter.
November 14, 2026: Manning's interception against LSU took place, and the horse-collar call was not made.
November 15, 2026: Jomboy Media shared the broadcast clip on X.

Season Trajectory

The play lands in a Texas season that has turned around since Manning's early struggles, with Texas winning six of its final seven games in 2025. How officials handle close contact on quarterback plays could shape how contested Texas's remaining games become in the conference race.

Fantasy managers and bettors tracking Manning's passing numbers should note that an interception on a contested play can change a quarterback's stat line and game script. Fans watching Texas games can expect close calls on quarterback contact to remain a point of debate until officiating standards are clarified.

The takeaway

Close calls on quarterback contact can swing a game, so watching the replay with the rulebook in mind helps separate an officiating error from a judgment call.