No. 4 Ohio State came into their Saturday matchup with Nebraska looking to get back on track in their hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoff. The 5-1 Buckeyes had a bye last week after losing to Oregon on Oct. 12.
Ohio State had a few favorable calls go their way against Nebraska. Up 14-3 with less than two minutes to go in the second quarter, officials ruled Emmett Johnson short on a second-down run. Replay video appeared to show Johnson running past the line to gain by more than a yard, but the officials did not review the play.
Nebraska would convert a first down on their next play via a three-yard scamper by Dante Dowdell, but they'd have to burn their final timeout with 26 seconds left on the lock. The elapsed time resulted in Nebraska kicking a field goal to end the half instead of having a better chance to score a touchdown.
Ben Stevens with SportsGrid posted video of the play on X and questioned officiating in college football.
"This was NOT ruled a 1st down for Nebraska," Stevens wrote. "The play was NOT reviewed. The clock did NOT stop and the Huskers had to burn their final timeout of the half. Officiating in CFB is an issue."
Geoff Schwartz of Fox Sports was curious about a pass interference call that went against Nebraska on a third down on a drive that resulted in an Ohio State touchdown.
College football fans were worried about how the missed calls were affecting Nebraska's chances of pulling an upset.
"I'll never blame the refs, but this is clearly the worst one sided reffing I've ever watched," one fan posted. "Nebraska isn't good enough to over come these kind of things."
"When an official misses a call so badly -- not giving Nebraska a first down on Johnson's run -- you can't help but wonder if there's some sort of foul play going on," posted On3's Steven Sipple on X. "It's really an egregious miss."
Derek Duke with Heartland CS thought Nebraska was robbed on an offensive pass interfered call.
"Nebraska out here getting screwed," Duke wrote. "First they called the runner short when he was CLEARLY a full yard past the first down marker and then they called this offensive pass interference."
"Ohio State has the refs in their pocket" suggested another fan. "Absolute despicable officiating at the end of the half. Terrible spot that costs Nebraska time and a timeout. Then a HORRIFIC offensive PI call. Luckily Nebraska at least got 3."
"Nebraska just got absolutely hosed," posted one commenter. "Twice! The B1G is gross."
Ohio State was leading Nebraska 21-17 with under four minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
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