Big Ten officials say mistake cost Illinois a down

ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) The Big Ten officials' organization says a third-quarter officiating mistake cost Illinois a down in its 14-13 win Saturday over Nebraska.

Collegiate Officiating Consortium Coordinator of Officials Bill Carollo said Monday that replay officials should have given Illinois another down when they reviewed a situation in which field officials lost track of the down and distance.

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Instead the play that Illinois thought was third down was judged to be fourth down. Illinois had to turn over the ball at its own 44-yard line.

Carollo said ''errors of this nature have a significant impact on game assignments, bowl assignments and overall year end status.''

Illinois defensive end Dawuane Smoot said Monday the mistake motivated the crowd and defense.

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