SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Chris Conley was convinced that he had legally ripped the football away from San Francisco 49ers linebacker Marcell Harris to regain possession after Texans rookie quarterback Davis Mills’ crucial interception Sunday.
So were his teammates and coaches when the fumble was recovered by running back Rex Burkhead in the third quarter.
However, the officials disagreed during a controversial and pivotal call during the Texans’ 23-7 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
Leading the 49ers 7-3 at the time, on 3rd-and-3 at the 49ers’ 45-yard line, Mills forced the football into traffic over the middle. It was ruled a non-fumble with Harris’ interception standing because the officials determined that Harris’ forward progress had been stopped. The play isn’t reviewable, and stands as a judgment call under the NFL rulebook. The Texans subsequently allowed a touchdown pass on the ensuing drive and never led again.
“We ruled that his forward progress was stopped, he was being driven back,” referee Carl Cheffers told a pool reporter after the game. “So, by rule, the play is dead at that point and any subsequent loss of possession is irrelevant. That’s what we ruled on the field and that’s why the loss of possession, the ball went back to San Francisco in that circumstance.
“That is a judgment call on the field and once we have made that judgment, that is a non-reviewable aspect. .. Anytime that there’s a runner that we feel has his forward progress stopped, then we’re going to kill the play at that point and any subsequent loss of possession is going to be irrelevant.”
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This wound up being a key play in the Texans’ loss. Instead of a first down at the 49ers’ 39-yard line and having the opportunity to go ahead by two scores, the Texans wound up losing momentum and the lead.
“To be very honest with you, I thought (Conley) within the time of the play was able to get the ball back out, but I’m not the ref,” Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks said. “It was unfortunate. Love the effort by Chris. You would hope that call was in our favor, but it wasn’t.”
The Texans faltered in several areas in the second half, including pass protection, ball security and allowed big plays on defense.
Texans coach David Culley was asked about the play, saying: “We can not challenge forward progress.They came over and said you can’t challenge forward progress.”
When asked if the call was explained, Culley replied: ‘No, they just made the call.”
The subsequent 37-yard defensive pass interference on cornerback Terrance Mitchell after the non-fumble ruling led to a 49ers touchdown.
Naturally, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan approved of the calls.
“Those were two of the best calls I’ve seen this year,” Shanahan said with a laugh. “No, I felt Marcell made a hell of a play and then I did feel we were very fortunate that, that kept going.”