Touchdown or touchback? Fans, media sound off on controversial call in Ohio State-Michigan game
By Jacob Moss
Published:
It didn’t take very long for things to get wacky between Michigan and Ohio State in “The Game” up in Ann Arbor, and star Buckeyes’ wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was at the heart of it all.
The controversy centered around what looked like a phenomenal touchdown reception on fourth down early in the second quarter from star OSU receiver Jeremiah Smith, with Smith hauling in a deep pass from quarterback Julian Sayin to give the Buckeyes their first lead of the game.
Everything looked fine in real time, but replay quickly buzzed down for a review, and it was revealed that Smith actually appeared to be bobbling the ball as he crossed the goal line. Smith appeared to step out out of bounds in the end zone before he re-gained possession, which would have resulted in a touchback for Michigan instead of a touchdown for Ohio State.
This was a massive call early on in a pivotal game for both sides, so the officials took their time in the review booth in order to make sure they made the correct call.
When the head ref came back to deliver the final verdict, though, every Michigan fan in the Big House was shocked when the original call of a touchdown was upheld, giving Ohio State the early lead.
Boos rained down following the official call, and fans across the country took to X to react to the controversial decision as well. Here’s the best of that reaction:
