Written by Nicole Auerbach at USAToday.com
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t want to talk about much more than the officiating Saturday following the Wolverines’ loss to Ohio State here at Ohio Stadium.
“I thought there were some outrageous calls, including the one that would have ended the game,” the Wolverines head coach said. “I was bitterly disappointed with the officiating.”
The play he referred to — multiple times — was Ohio State’s attempt on fourth-and-1 in the second overtime. Quarterback J.T. Barrett kept the ball and tried to extend for the first down. Officials spotted the ball and ruled the play a first down, and upheld the call after a brief official review.
“There wasn’t a first down,” Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh went on to criticize officials for one pass interference call in the fourth quarter — on third and seven from the Michigan 21-yard line, Delano Hill got whistled for pass interference on a ball that appeared uncatchable, a play that extended ultimately the game-tying drive.
“They got a gift interference call,” Harbaugh said. “The ball was uncatchable, past the receiver when our guy made contact.”
Harbaugh went on to criticize officials for not calling pass interference on Ohio State when Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight threw to Grant Perry on third down in the second overtime.
“He was clearly being hooked before the ball got there,” Harbaugh said.
He pointed out that the Buckeyes were called for just two penalties all game — for 6 total yards — adding that he felt there were “multiple holding calls and multiple false starts” against Ohio State that went uncalled.
“The official on my side is supposed to be watching that, not whether our coaches are in the white or not in the white (on the sideline) not on the field,” Harbaugh said. “Their coaches were on the field, practically in the huddle at times.”
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