Ohio State interception turns into Penn State touchdown on wild play (Video)
A few huge plays in the Penn State vs. Ohio State game came down to officiating decisions, but none was bigger than an interception-turned-touchdown in the third quarter.
Penn State, leading 28-20, took a shot into the end zone to wideout DeAndre Thompkins. Thompkins and Denzel Ward both went for the ball and the play was initially ruled an interception.
But after a replay review, it was determined Thompkins actually had the ball as he came to the ground before Ward ripped it away. It was really, really close.
Another angle shows how Ward ripped it away but did so after Thompkins briefly possessed the ball in the end zone.
The play was ruled an interception on the field, and it seemed like one of those plays where there wasn’t enough evidence for it to be overturned. In the end, it went Penn State’s way, via the simultaneous possession rule:
“Any forward pass is complete when caught by a player of the passing team who is inbounds, and the ball continues in play unless completed in the opponent’s end zone or the pass has been caught simultaneously by opposing players. If a forward pass is caught simultaneously by opposing players inbounds, the ball becomes dead and belongs to the passing team.”
After the game, which Ohio State dramatically came back to win, 39-38, Big Ten official John O’Neill said Thompkins had full possession before the ball was ripped away.
Field reporter: “What went into the decision on the play in the end zone with the overturned call?”
O’Neill: “What happened, the offensive receiver had full possession of the ball, brought the ball down and completed the process of a catch. He then rolled over and at that point, the Ohio State defender came on him. By rule, joint possession belongs to the offense.”
Field reporter: “So there was joint possession on the ground?”
O’Neill: “The Penn State receiver had the ball first. He brought the ball down, completed the process of a catch, rolled over at which point the Ohio State defender came down on him.”
The touchdown from Trace McSorley to Thompkins gave the Nittany Lions a 35-20 lead.
In the first half, there were a few other pieces of officiating that could be questioned. For one, another potential interception for McSorley was called pass interference on the Buckeyes.
On the very next play, McSorley registered a rushing touchdown to give his team a 28-10 lead.
On the next drive, Penn State’s Grant Haley was also called for interference, leading to an Ohio State score.
Playing defensive back seems really difficult.
Here's the interference call on Penn State. Ohio State scored on the next play. pic.twitter.com/UfLazraR2C
— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) October 28, 2017
And a play, also involving Haley, where pass interference seemed more obvious than the previous two, no flag was thrown.
Here's the play. You make the call.
Ohio State settles for a field goal. Penn State leads 28-20. pic.twitter.com/gNP6QBFk8q
— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) October 28, 2017
It was an eventful game.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
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