WATCH: Michigan State catches break with controversial call on strip sack

Michigan State continues to hang around in a game that could look much different after two quarters, but the football gods have helped keep the Spartans alive at the midway point of the Big Ten rivalry.

In the final moments of the second quarter with the Wolverines leading 20-14, Michigan’s David Ojabo beat the Michigan State right tackle and blindsided the Sparty quarterback, resulting in a strip sack fumble. A Michigan player fell on the ball in the end zone, giving Jim Harbaugh’s team a potential two-touchdown edge.

The FOX broodcast crew seemed in agreement and the feeling was the call would stand as called in favor of the Wolverines, meaning Michigan State would have an uphill climb to claw back in the game.

“It looks like he was potentially losing control before the knee hit,” Joel Klatt said on the live broadcast. He added, “there you can see he was clearly losing possession. With the ruling on the field stating it was initially a fumble, I’m not seeing the evidence.”

Former official and FOX rules expert Mike Pereira agreed.  

“Well Gus, you’re looking at what was the call on the field here. Based on the fact that they ruled fumble on the field, I don’t see how they could change this,” Pereira said.

David Ojabo started playing football in 2017#CFB

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— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 30, 2021

“If there was any video, I would certainly lean to him losing control, so I would say this play will stand,” Klatt continued.

In a stunning turn of events, the officiating crew ruled the quarterback’s knee was down before he released the football, meaning the touchdown was wiped off the board.

To me, they’re re-officiating this play because to me there was nothing obvious any of us could see,” Pereira said after the ruling that gave Michigan State fans a sigh of relief.

Instead, Michigan got the ball back and had enough time to get within field goal range. Wolverines kicker Jake Moody connected on field goal in the final seconds of the second quarter, giving Michigan a 23-14 edge at halftime.

More on Michigan State vs. Michigan

All eyes are on Saturday’s battle between the Spartans and Wolverines as the winner of Saturday’s game controls their own destiny, while the loser will likely need some help to reach the Big Ten title game. Both teams still have games against Ohio State and Penn State on the calendar.

Michigan State-Michigan is the hottest ticket in town this Saturday, as the Spartans host not just the Wolverines, but also ESPN’s flagship college football show, College GameDay.

Saturday marks the first time College GameDay has traveled to East Lansing since Sept. 12, 2015, when then-No. 5 Michigan State topped No. 7 Oregon, 31-28.

Michigan leads the series 71-37-5 all-time, but Michigan State has won six of the last 10 meetings. The game kicked off at noon ET on Fox.