Sports

Big Ten Referees Ignore Blatant Ohio State Penalty When Large Lineman Decks Tiny Rutgers Defensive Back

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Kayden McDonald Ohio State Deck Shove Push Rutgers Defensive Back Penalty
Big Noon Kickoff / FOX — © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald appeared to extend his arms during a physical altercation during the first half of Saturday’s college football game against Rutgers. The extension should have warranted a penalty but the Big Ten officiating crew chose to turn a blind eye.

It was an objectively hilarious moment but it should’ve been flagged.

Of course, college football fans who do not root for Ohio State are going to claim this was yet another missed call in favor of the Buckeyes because they are the poster child of the conference. I don’t think so.

Rutgers defensive back Jacobie Henderson got schooled by Ohio State.

This specific incident took place right before halftime. There were just over two minutes left in the second quarter.

Julian Sayin dropped back to pass on 2nd-and-5 from the 7ish-yard-line. He dropped an absolute dime to Brandon Inniss in the corner of the end zone for six. It was a perfect throw from the Heisman Trophy contender. His wide receiver also made a great over-the-shoulder catch to pull it in for the touchdown.

Rutgers defensive back Jacobie Henderson was in coverage for the Scarlet Knights and got torched. Credit to the Buckeyes for executing, but the coverage completely fell apart.

Henderson was burnt like toast.

Big Ten referees did not throw a flag on Kayden McDonald for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Ohio State’s offense ran into the end zone to celebrate with Inniss as soon as the official lifted his arms to signal a touchdown. Henderson had not yet left the area. It seemed as though he was protesting a lack of offensive pass interference. I don’t know.

Whatever the reason, Henderson got caught up in the celebration. And as he tried to walk away, Kayden McDonald ran in out of nowhere to absolutely deck him.

McDonald is listed on the roster at 6-foot-3, 326 pounds. Henderson is listed at 5-foot-11, 198 pounds.

Big Ten officials did not call a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

However, the extension of McDonald’s arms made his actions intentional. And, as far as I can tell, he was not even on the field for the offensive play, which means he left the sideline to join the celebration and laid out an opposing player.

Where is the flag? Great question. It never came.