In a dramatic twist during the Liberty Bowl, Arkansas offensive lineman Fernando Carmona is under fire after a Texas Tech player accused him of a dirty move. With only two minutes left in the game and Arkansas comfortably ahead, Carmona was seen helping his teammates up after a six-yard rush by Braylen Russell. However, in the process, he allegedly stepped on Texas Tech defensive back CJ Baskerville’s ankle, an act Baskerville claims was intentional.
Baskerville didn’t hold back, posting two videos on X (formerly Twitter) with a harsh caption: “There’s no denying Arkansas played a great game, 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.”
If true, this accusation tarnishes Carmona’s leadership and casts a shadow over his reputation, especially as a team captain for the Razorbacks. With Arkansas already dominating on the scoreboard, there’s no need for such aggressive antics after the play. It’s behavior that calls for consequences and an apology from Carmona.
The social media backlash has been swift and fierce. Baskerville’s post triggered a firestorm online, with high-profile figures like sports analyst Emmanuel Acho calling Carmona a “loser” and demanding accountability, including suspensions or even arrests. Former NFL lineman Kyle Long sarcastically joked about a firing squad, further fueling the outrage.
However, an important question remains: Would Baskerville have posted this if Texas Tech had won? While the allegations are serious, the timing of Baskerville’s social media response raises eyebrows, especially when considering the loss. Some critics argue that using social media to exact revenge after a game is cowardly, particularly when the injury wasn’t severe.
Both Carmona’s alleged actions and Baskerville’s online reaction have sparked a heated debate on what’s acceptable in football. Regardless, one thing is clear: sportsmanship is crucial, and both players — along with the online mob — could learn a thing or two about handling conflict with more dignity. Let’s hope Carmona takes responsibility, and we all “do better,” as Baskerville suggests.
