SEC Network analyst questions defender's action on 'strange' touchdown

When Mississippi State goes over film from Saturday's game against Georgia, a defensive player probably won't have much fun. And Matt Stinchcomb, an analyst for the SEC Network's broadcast of the game, explained why.

Early in the fourth quarter, Georgia's Carson Beck and Arian Smith connected on a 42-yard touchdown pass. Thanks to a strange performance from Mississippi State defensive back Brylan Lanier, it was much easier for Smith to gain the final yards than it should have been. Smith caught the pass near the five-yard line. Lanier was behind him on the play and had a good chance to bring Smith down. He even managed to pack up the receiver. Only shortly after wrapping up Smith did Lanier let him go. With no other defenders near the play, Smith went into the end zone.

Understandably, Stinchcomb found it difficult to explain what had happened.

“I don’t know what Lanier is doing,” Stinchcomb said. “He (Smith) clearly caught the football. Look at #3 (Lanier). After Smith, who clearly caught that ball. I don't know if he thought he was already in the end zone. I think there's a chance Lanier was thinking that – that's the strangest ending to a play I've seen in a long time.”

“I don’t know what Lanier is doing. He clearly caught the football… I think there's a chance Lanier thought that – that's as strange an end to a play as I've seen in a long time.”pic.twitter.com/JokGiLyFk5

– Terrible Announcement (@awfulanncreasing) October 12, 2024

If Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby is having trouble figuring out what to say to Lanier in the film session, it might not be a bad idea to reenact Stinchcomb's reaction.

(Photo credit: SEC Network)