The 2024 edition of the Liberty Bowl featured two football teams looking to end their season with a win — while the Arkansas Razorbacks did just that, it was quickly outshined.
Dirty Play Grabs Headlines in Arkansas’ Liberty Bowl Victory
The Razorbacks defeated the Texas Tech Red Raiders 39-26 in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday — but the result of the game may not be what’s most remembered.
With just over two minutes left in the game, the Razorbacks held the ball up two possessions. They were in ball-control mode, killing the clock to ensure victory.
It was then that ESPN cameras caught Arkansas offensive lineman Fernando Carmona Jr., rather blatantly, stepping on a Texas Tech player’s ankle in the middle of a pile, turning it and driving it into the ground.
This should be his (55) last game ever. What a loser.
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@RazorbackFB @TexasTechFB @CodyC64 pic.twitter.com/NB2tWGmPVk— Zak Coppinger 🌵🏴☠️ (@ZZCopp) December 28, 2024
The player, Red Raiders defensive back C.J. Baskerville immediately grasped for his ankle.
No penalty was called on the play — in the middle of a pile, it’s hard to blame the officials, but the cameras see everything. Multiple angles showed Carmona look down before stepping directly on Baskerville’s ankle.
Following the defeat, Baskerville took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to air his frustrations.
After applauding Arkansas for playing a great game, Baskerville called the play “straight up dirty,” before explaining that Carmona shot further expletives in his direction.
There’s no denying that Arkansas played a great game last night, I am not taking that away from them. But #55 Fernando Carmona blatantly stepping on my ankle and pressing down on it on purpose is straight up dirty. Proceeds to say “got your b**** a***.” Do better @RazorbackFB pic.twitter.com/QccDSfiiQ4
— CJ (HOUNDS) BASKERVILLE (@c9baskerville) December 28, 2024
Assuming it was on purpose — I’m not quite sure how you could argue otherwise — it’s not a good look for Cardona and Razorbacks football alike and a disappointing finish to a hard-fought victory.
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