SEC says Oklahoma-Auburn play should have been penalized

Oklahoma defeated Auburn 24-17 on Saturday at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, a tightly contested SEC opener that was marred by a controversial first-quarter touchdown the conference later said should have been penalized. The 24-yard score by Oklahoma receiver Isaiah Sategna on a pass from quarterback John Mateer gave the Sooners an early edge, and the contest ultimately decided the meeting between two previously undefeated programs.

The play unfolded with Sategna appearing to jog toward the Oklahoma sideline as if to be substituted, then stopping and running a route into open space for the touchdown. The officiating crew did not throw a flag, prompting immediate protest from Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, who said his staff attempted to call timeout before the snap and that Auburn was blindsided by the sequence. An official told ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath the play was not flagged because Oklahoma had 11 players on the field and Sategna never fully left the playing area.

The Southeastern Conference later issued a statement saying the crew misinterpreted the action and that the play should have been ruled a hideout tactic, a team unsportsmanlike conduct...