C.J. Stroud completed a 7-yard pass to Dalton Schultz to the Indianapolis 31-yard line in the waning seconds of the first half. In field-goal range, the Texans hustled to the line and spiked the ball. However, officials stopped the play just as the snap happened to review Schultz’s catch. Although the play stood, this is when the chaos began. Referee John Hussey announced that the clock would reset to 15 seconds after the Texans had snapped the ball with 18 seconds on the previous down. The Colts then called timeout to complain about the clock, and Hussey apparently gave the Colts their timeout back and decided there should be a 10-second runoff.

This created confusion, and Hussey’s announcements (or lack thereof) added to the mess. The TV crew didn’t explain the situation until the second half. “We needed to confirm that it was a catch, number one,” senior vice president of officiating Perry Fewell said. “After that, we had to correct the administrative aspect of the play. The referee was told to set the clock at 15 seconds, and when the call wasn’t reversed, we adjusted the clock to five seconds.” The Texans kept their offense on the field, seemingly unaware the clock was at five seconds and would start on Hussey’s signal. Stroud threw an incomplete pass, ending the half.

Texans’ coach DeMeco Ryans took responsibility, stating in a sideline interview with CBS and later in his postgame press conference, “It’s just us as coaches — starting with me — communicating on the sidelines.” The Colts’ timeout is listed in the official play-by-play, but Colts coach Shane Steichen had no comment post-game. A timeout would have meant the clock didn’t start again until the snap. “Week 1, everybody’s rusty,” Stroud said. “I’m rusty; we’re rusty as a whole. I think the officials told us one thing, but we got another.” The Texans led 12-7 at halftime, having already scored field goals of 51 and 50 yards by Ka’imi Fairbairn.

“I’ve got to be better right there,” Stroud admitted, adding that it was a learning experience. Despite the mishaps, the Texans managed to hold on for a 29-27 win.