Big Ten issues statement on officiating error in Nebraska-Ohio State game

From start to finish of a Week 9 matchup between Nebraska and No. 4 Ohio State, officiating caused frustration and head scratching — for both teams.

The Big Ten issued a statement Monday on one particular officiating error in the 21-17 Buckeyes victory in Columbus:

“During Nebraska’s final drive of the first half, on second down with two yards to gain on the Ohio State 39-yard line, the ball was incorrectly spotted after a run by Cornhusker RB Emmett Johnson. The ball carrier crossed the 37-yard line and a first down should have been awarded to Nebraska. Replay should have stopped the game to review the spot since it involved the line-to-gain.”

Big Ten statement: "During Nebraska's final drive of the first half, on second down with two yards to gain on the Ohio State 39-yard line, the ball was incorrectly spotted after a run by Cornhusker RB Emmett Johnson. The ball carrier crossed the 37-yard line and a first down… https://t.co/SlaAuimB51

— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) October 28, 2024

In a one-score game that appeared to include additional incorrect spots and that featured an assortment of pass interference penalties, the error the statement addressed — albeit an important one that cost Nebraska valuable clock — wasn’t the most consequential of the bunch.

After all, the Huskers converted the subsequent 3rd-and-1 with a three-yard run from fellow running back Dante Dowdell.

But later that drive, on a 3rd-and-5 from the Ohio State 30-yard line, Nebraska wideout Isaiah Neyor was called for a controversial offensive pass interference on a deep shot from true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. That infraction pushed the Huskers back 15 yards. Nebraska gained nine back on the replayed third down, and kicker John Hohl drilled a 54-yard field goal before intermission to make it a 14-6 game.

Nebraska staked itself to a 17-14 advantage in the fourth quarter after Raiola orchestrated a nine-play, 74-yard touchdown drive, and after the Huskers cashed in a two-point conversion.

That said, Ohio State — despite all of its offensive struggles versus Nebraska Saturday — answered with a touchdown drive of its own, the game-winning kind.

The Buckeyes had their most serious officiating complaint on the Huskers’ final offensive possession.

The officiating crew had confirmed a targeting penalty on Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, who was disqualified from the game and will now have to sit out the first half this week at Penn State. Not only that, but the fumble Reese forced on his hit to Nebraska wide receiver Jahmal Banks, and that linebacker Sonny Styles hopped on, was negated.

Nebraska received 19 yards for the reception Banks made and an additional 15 yards because of the targeting penalty. All of a sudden, the Huskers were at their own 46-yard line with a fresh set of downs, 3:14 remaining, one timeout left and a four-point deficit to erase.

Ohio State didn’t allow Nebraska to gain another yard, though. And, on 3rd-and-19, Buckeyes defensive back Jordan Hancock picked off Raiola from a deep safety position, and Ohio State emerged victorious, 21-17.