Big Ten Admits Error in Referee Call During Nebraska-Ohio State Game

The Big Ten has admitted to a big refereeing mistake that was made during Saturday’s football game between Nebraska and Ohio State.

In a statement, the Big Ten Conference said, "On second down with two yards to gain on the Ohio State 39-yard line, the ball was incorrectly spotted after a run by Cornhuskers RB Emmett Johnson. The ball carrier crossed the 37-yard line and a first down should have been awarded to Nebraska. Replay should have stopped the game to review the spot since it involved the line-to-gain.”

Rather than earning a first down that would have stopped the clock for Nebraska and given the Huskers more time to attempt a touchdown, the team was forced to make a field goal. While the field goal was successful, Nebraska ultimately lost to the Buckeyes on Saturday, resulting in many wondering if that missed call could be to blame.

Matt Rhule, head coach for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, said he appreciated the apology from the conference and added, “It can't keep happening to us, it needs to be fair."

It is not the first time this season that the Big Ten referees have come under fire for calls and penalties that players, coaches and fans have not agreed with. Just a few weeks ago, the onside kick during the game between Minnesota and Michigan was ruled an offsides penalty. This call by referees resulted in an NCAA rule change to require multiple officials to act as line judges, hoping to avoid another bad call.

Related: Big Ten Introduced Mid-Season Rule Change to Football Games

For all the frustration surrounding the decision by referees, Rhule said in his press conference, “I think one of the hardest jobs in the world right now is to be an official. I grew up in an era (…) when officials went out there, they blew their whistles, they threw their flags. There weren’t 52 camera angles. And you lived with it (…) but that was how football was. Now we are in a world with instant replay.”