Big Ten officials stir up controversy with Michigan State-Ohio State call

Was it a fumble or was he down? According to the referees in the Ohio State vs. Michigan State game, it was neither.

Payton Thorne appeared to complete a pass to Jayden Reed to put Michigan State into the red zone against Ohio State. But it looked like Reed fumbled and the Buckeyes recovered. At least, that’s what fans thought happened.

After a review, the referees instead ruled Reed never had possession and it was an incomplete pass. That meant Michigan State kept the ball to set up a field goal attempt.

NBC rules analyst and former NFL official Terry McAulay weighed in on the decision, saying he disagreed with the referees’ call.

The receiver controlled the ball, got 2 feet down and had the ball long enough to perform an act common to the game. It certainly wasn’t indisputable he did not. Replay should not have reversed to incomplete and should have reversed to fumble and recovery by OSU. #MSUvsOSU

— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) November 20, 2021

“The receiver controlled the ball, got 2 feet down and had the ball long enough to perform an act common to the game,” McAulay tweeted. “It certainly wasn’t indisputable he did not. Replay should not have reversed to incomplete and should have reversed to fumble and recovery by OSU.”

It didn’t make much difference on the scoreboard. Michigan State missed the field goal to give Ohio State the ball. The Buckeyes went four plays down the field, culminating with a 43-yard touchdown pass from CJ Stroud to Chris Olave to extend the lead to 21-0. It was the 35th career receiving touchdown for Olave — a new Buckeyes record.

Ohio State’s offense flat-out dominated Michigan State in the first half, taking a 42-0 lead with 7:01 left until halftime. Stroud only had two incompletions as he threw for five touchdowns by that point.

Ohio State and Michigan State are currently facing off on ABC.

Chris Olave sets Ohio State career receiving touchdown record

Chris Olave has put his name down inside Ohio State record books. By catching his second touchdown of the day against Michigan State on Saturday, Olave became the Buckeyes’ all-time leader in career touchdown receptions with 35 to pass David Boston for the record.

Olave’s first touchdown, tying the record, as a 23-yard strike in the first quarter. The second score for Olave was a deep 43-yard touchdown pass from CJ Stroud.

Olave’s speed was on display, as he easily beat the Michigan State defenders down the field for the score. Ohio State went up 21-0 on Olave’s record-setting play. Shortly after, Michigan State fumbled, giving the Buckeyes the ball again. Ohio State quickly took a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter. At the time of Ohio State’s fourth touchdown, Olave had four receptions for 82 yards and the two touchdowns.