I had similar situation many years ago for a different large company. Two before lunch interviews, and I bombed one. Then the rest of the day's interviews seemed easier and I did splendidly. I felt great. A few days later, two job offers from that company, but not from the group I had originally hoped for. I passed and took another job I was more excited about the group I would be with. Later I knew a friend that worked there, he told me that they used the first two interviews to decide which track of second interviews you get after lunch. So then you are with other candidates for other jobs if you have not done in the top of the first round. Something like this may have happened to this fellow, just that the other candidates in the secondary track won out over him making an even better impression.