The round one matchup between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 9 Tennessee in the College Football Playoff on Saturday night had a controversial few minutes during the first half.
The first three games in the first round of the CFP were decided by double digits. The Buckeyes-Volunteers game was headed into blowout territory early in the second quarter after Ohio State rushed out to a 21-0 lead on the Volunteers.
College football officials made a curious call
With the ball at the OSU 26-yard line, quarterback Will Howard tossed a ball into the endzone that was ruled an interception by Tennessee defensive back Will Brooks. While the officials viewed the replay, ESPN rules analyst Bill LeMonnier explained why he thought Brooks didn’t have full possession of the ball before landing out of bounds.
LeMonnier also stated that he thought Tennessee got away with a pass interference penalty.
TENNESSEE PICKS OFF WILL HOWARD IN THE END ZONE 😳
A much-needed takeaway for the Volunteers 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mcqebHZnOi
— ESPN (@espn) December 22, 2024
Officials confirmed Brooks’ interception.
Tennessee football’s first points came after a penalty
On the Volunteers’ ensuing drive, their offense was helped out by a roughing the passer penalty called on defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. that wiped out an interception by quarterback Nico Iamaleava. LeMonnier disagreed with the official decision to call Jackson’s hit illegal.
This was called roughing the passer. 😂 pic.twitter.com/FpxJIpdJmw
— Barstool Ohio State (@BarstoolOSU) December 22, 2024
Tennessee would take advantage of the blown call, allowing Tennessee to score a field goal, their first points of the night.
Fans curious about calls against Ohio State football
Fans on social media were upset with the calls.
“Wouldn’t that be pass interference on 7 he was way early and didn’t turn around to look at the ball. Refs bad call,” wrote a fan.
“DPI, uncalled… then a pathetic roughing the passer call later,” posted another.
“*REFS MISS MASSIVE PI IN THE END ZONE THAT WOULD’VE GIVEN OSU A FIRST DOWN AND GOAL. Fixed it for you,” wrote a fan.
“Terrible call and took the interception away, but the officials have to find ways to keep the game close to keep the TV viewers engaged,” posted another.
“Refs must’ve been told they couldn’t have another game end in a blowout,” wrote a fan.
“Two horrible calls by the refs changed this game,” suggested a fan.
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