Big Ten Hits Harbaugh With $10K Fine for Ref Comments

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was reprimanded by the Big Ten for violating the league's sportsmanship policy in his postgame news conference following Saturday's loss to Ohio State and the school was fined $10,000, the Big Ten announced.

Harbaugh said several times in his postgame press conference that he was "bitterly disappointed in the officiating." He also called the officiating "outrageous."

Most of his criticism was a fourth-and-1 play in the second overtime when Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett was stopped near the first-down mark. The Buckeyes were awarded a first down and it led to the game-winning touchdown.

"My view on the first down was it was that short," he said, holding his hands apart a few inches. "That spot. The graphic displays on the interference penalties, the one not called on us on (Michigan receiver) Grant Perry clearly was being hooked before the ball got there. And the previous penalty they called on (Michigan safety) Delano Hill, the ball's uncatchable and by the receiver. I'm bitterly disappointed in the officiating. Can't make that any more clear."

Oregon, Helfrich to meet

Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich will meet with the athletic director this week about his future amid reports the Ducks already are making preparations for a coaching search.

Helfrich is on shaky ground following the 34-24 loss to rival Oregon State on Saturday in Oregon's season finale, dropping the Ducks to 4-8 overall and 2-7 in the Pac-12.

Helfrich told reporters Sunday that he spoke with athletic director Rob Mullens on the phone and the two planned to meet "midweek."

According to USA Today, Oregon made preparations for a coaching search that will follow the eventual firing of Helfrich, but the school has not officially made the decision on the move as of Sunday afternoon.

Helfrich said Saturday evening that in his previous three seasons as head coach he never had a season-ending meeting or review with Mullens. He would be owed an $11.6 million buyout by Oregon if he is fired.

Helfrich is 37-16 overall as a head coach after he succeeded Chip Kelly in 2013, but there has been a significant drop-off since the Ducks' 2014 national championship game loss to Ohio State.

Clemson refutes slur

Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney refuted an allegation that one of his players used a racial slur Saturday night in a game against bitter in-state rival South Carolina.

Swinney labeled the accusation by South Carolina linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams as "absolutely false."

Allen-Williams told The State newspaper that an offensive lineman for the Tigers used "the n-word," setting off a pregame skirmish. The linebacker was unclear which player allegedly uttered the slur.

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