Music City Bowl referee meets with media regarding ejection of UK RB Benny Snell

Although the Music City Bowl between Kentucky and Northwestern had an entertaining finish, that’s not what we’ll remember.

Frankly, the officiating was pitiful, and it started in the second quarter when Kentucky RB Benny Snell was ejected for making contact with the official. Following a run, it appeared the official tried to help Snell up, but Snell mildly pushed away his hands and proceeded to get up on his own. The official then ejected Snell, and social media was beside itself.

Following the game, Music City Bowl referee Chris Coyte was available and met with the media about the ejection, as noted by The Tennessean’s Adam Sparks:

Music City Bowl referee Chris Coyte on Benny Snell ejection: "The player got up and grabbed my arms and pushed them away and contacted me. That’s a foul."

— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) December 30, 2017

I asked Music City Bowl referee Chris Coyte if Benny Snell's grab & push was incidental contact. Coyte said "It was not."

— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) December 30, 2017

I asked Music City Bowl referee Chris Coyte if Benny Snell's grab & push was intentional contact. Coyte said, "That's how I ruled. Yes."

— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) December 30, 2017

I asked Music City Bowl referee Chris Coyte if anything was said by Benny Snell that influenced the ejection beyond contact. He said, "No."

— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) December 30, 2017

It wasn’t just Kentucky either. Northwestern’s Paddy Fisher was ejected for targeting, and Wildcats’ coach Pat Fitzgerald blasted the officials at halftime.

Pat Fitzgerald on the explanation he got on the targeting call on Paddy Fisher to @AdamHoge "Doesn't matter. It might be the worst call I have ever seen in the history of college football" @WGNRadio

— Mark Carman (@thecarm) December 29, 2017

Northwestern beat Kentucky 24-23.