Jim Harbaugh took the high road Saturday afternoon, electing not to criticize Big Ten officiating in public after Michigan’s devastating loss to Michigan State.
But two days later, with the dust now settled on the Wolverines’ 37-33 loss and the game film reviewed, Harbaugh grew a bit more animated.
Speaking Monday to reporters at Schembechler Hall, Harbaugh fielded a question about his team’s anemic two-minute offense by pointing out that these were stopped short on fourth down twice — but not without critiquing a no-call on Michigan’s second-to-last drive.
“Clear pass interference,” Harbaugh said. “Then we threw the corner route into a cover-2 (defense) and they made an interception.”
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His criticism of the officiating — more acutely, the six replay reviews that all went Michigan State’s way — continued Monday night during the “Inside Michigan Football” radio show.
“Guys kept competing and fighting (with) a lot stacked against ‘em,” Harbaugh said. “We really proud of them, the coaches. Some things were out of their control.”
Harbaugh took direct aim at the overturned strip-sack that saw Michigan defensive Aidan Hutchinson fall on the football in the end zone for a touchdown. At least, that’s how it was initially called on the field. Upon review, however, officials said MSU quarterback Payton Thorne’s knee was down at the 2-yard line and the play was ruled dead. The six points for Michigan were taken off the board.
“That should have never happened,” Harbaugh said. “They said that his shin was down. I said, ‘Half a shin? Was the ball moving?’ Because it sure looked like there was no conclusive evidence.
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“I think everybody that has a rationale view, non-partial view, would say that’s the rule that is written,” Harbaugh continued. “That it has to be irrefutable video evidence. So, you feel for the players that really deserve better. Especially when other reviews were either left to stand or overturned based on what was called on the field.”
Earlier Monday, defensive lineman Mike Morris was asked about play involving Hutchinson, his teammate, and said the result “didn’t matter because, going into that game, I didn’t think the refs were going to have our backs.”
“I felt like it wasn’t going to go our way,” Morris said. “It’s like when you’re an away team playing (somewhere else), it’s going to favor the home team more times than not.”
Ultimately, Michigan struggled in the red zone and let a 16-point, third-quarter lead slip away to the Spartans, whose running back Kenneth Walker III piled up 197 yards rushing and five touchdowns.
The loss not only gave MSU bragging rights for another year, but set Michigan (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) back in the race for the Big Ten’s East Division crown.
