Big Ten: Delay of game penalty missed on Ohio State field goal
The Big Ten admitted a delay of game penalty should have been called against Ohio State before it kicked a field goal during the first half of Saturday's win over Penn State, ESPN's Adam Rittenberg reports.
Ohio State snapped the ball several seconds after the play clock expired before converting a 49-yard field goal in the second quarter. No penalty was called, however, and the Buckeyes went on to win 31-24 in double overtime.
In a statement to Rittenberg, the conference said there was a "breakdown in officiating mechanics" that led to the penalty going uncalled.
The Big Ten also said technical issues were to blame for the booth being unable to properly review the interception by Ohio State's Vonn Bell in the first quarter. Replays showed Bell trapping the ball on the ground, but officials on the field ruled it an interception. Rittenberg reports the booth did not have access to all feeds to start the game so the call could not be overturned.
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After the game, head referee John O'Neill said the officials were limited by the replay rules, via ESPN.
"The play, technically, was not thoroughly reviewed due to some technical difficulties with the equipment," he said.
And, despite the fact that several replays on the Beaver Stadium video boards showed that the ball hit the ground, the referees were powerless to review them.
"The feeds that the replay team looks at are the feeds that you get at home. We can't deviate," O'Neill said. "We can't create our own rules. The replay rules are clear that we have to use the equipment provided."
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The Buckeyes improved to 6-1 on the season and host Illinois Saturday night.
The Nittany Lions fell to 4-3 and host Maryland Saturday.
- Paul Palladino
