A backward pass, a flying punter and the return of the Waffle House Coach

A football weekend can leave you replaying something that barely resembles a normal football play. A ball goes backward but becomes an incomplete forward pass. A punter takes flight to throw. A fan appears to be coordinating an offense with a breakfast menu.

Three clips circulating this weekend deliver three different versions of that feeling. Two come from the current games. The third is an older Florida State moment getting another lap around the internet, and its date changes how the joke should be understood.

The Saints touchdown that disappeared

Bill Simmons shared FOX’s explanation of a disputed play from Sunday’s Saints–Lions game. Chase Young hit Jared Goff, the ball went backward, and New Orleans safety Jonas Sanker recovered it for what was initially ruled a touchdown. Replay changed the ruling to an incomplete pass.

The direction of the loose ball makes the result look strange. But the relevant provision is in the NFL’s 2026 rulebook: Rule 3, Section 21, Article 4, Item 1 addresses contact that materially affects a passer after his throwing motion has begun. If he passes the ball in that circumstance, its eventual direction does not change the forward-pass classification.

FOX analyst Mike Pereira explained the ruling through that provision. It is more specific than saying a quarterback merely intended to throw forward. The timing of the throwing motion and the defender’s contact matters. Viewers can disagree about the application on this play without mistaking the backward bounce for the only thing the officials were allowed to consider.

Syracuse’s punter makes the throw

Coach Dan Casey’s seven-second clip comes from Syracuse’s September 12 game against California. Jimmy Gregg takes the snap, moves forward and jumps before delivering a pass to David Omopariola. The play turns a punt formation into a first-down opportunity.

Syracuse’s official recap confirms the 12-yard completion and its place in a scoring drive. The possession ended in a 33-yard Tripp Woody field goal. The Orange did not win the game: California prevailed 21–18, with Kingston Lopa’s three interceptions helping decide the result.

That is useful context for a clip built to be watched repeatedly. Gregg’s jump pass worked, kept the offense on the field and produced points. It was a successful piece of deception inside a game Syracuse ultimately lost, rather than a trick-play finish or a game-winning touchdown.

The breakfast menu is a rerun

The Florida State fan in MLFootball’s September 12 post is not evidence of something that happened at this weekend’s Seminoles game. The footage shows FSU trailing Duke 20–13 in the fourth quarter of their October 18, 2024 meeting.

An August 2026 Top Tier interview identifies the fan as Cole, known online as the Waffle House Coach, and traces the viral moment to that trip to Durham. Duke’s official game record confirms the date and its eventual 23–16 win.

The headset and menu were a committed fan’s joke, not actual equipment from the Florida State coaching staff. That remains funny without a false timestamp. Watch the performance for what it is: an archival bit resurfacing alongside a real September 2026 rules argument and a real September 2026 fake punt.