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Miami (OH) was penalized for flashing field goal posts on its videoboard.
The Miami (OH) football team beat MAC rival Ohio on Tuesday night, 34-17. The game was much closer than that score would indicate.
The RedHawks actually trailed at one point, 17-0. They attempted to use a deceptive tactic to stay in the game. Unfortunately, they were busted by the officiating crew.
When all was said and done, it wouldn’t matter. Ohio would not be able to capitalize. Miami later cruised to victory with a second half surge.
Interestingly enough, this same deception was used by Indiana in its season opener. It went uncalled despite being illegal.
Miami (OH) was penalized for unsportsmanlike deception.
This is why we #MACtion https://t.co/woiEs7DsCd
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) November 11, 2026
Just before the end of the first half, Ohio lined up for a short field goal attempt inside the RedHawks’ 20-yard line. As the kicker lined up for his try, images of field goal posts flashed across the videoboard.
This tactic has been ruled illegal by both the NFL and NCAA as of 2026.
Rule 9, Section 2 – Penalty Unsportsmanlike Conduct: b.5. Persons subject to the rules, including bands and audio/video/lighting systems operators, shall not create any noise or distraction that prohibits a team from hearing its signals or obstructs play (Rule 1-1-6)
The deception was often used by the New England Patriots against opponents attempting field goals in Gillette Stadium. This September, it was banned by the NFL.
The NCAA’s ability to penalize the unsportsmanlike tactic dates back to 2021, but that hasn’t stopped teams from trying.
Just eight weeks ago, Indiana flashed field goal posts across the videoboard during its season opener with North Texas. It went uncalled.
Ultimately, it didn’t work. The Hoosiers‘ videoboard is not quite positioned in the kicker’s line of vision. Maybe it had something to do with the no-call.
Miami’s scoreboard is directly behind the field goal posts. The officiating crew deemed the distraction illegal. Ohio was given an opportunity to retry. Unfortunately, that attempt also failed.
Ohio got tricky, too.
Ohio called a fake field goal that was working great until https://t.co/X2bznXmpW0
— CFB Douchebag (@CFBDouchebag) November 11, 2026
On the ensuing play, the Bobcats attempted a fake field goal that was perfectly executed… until it wasn’t. Punter Magnus Haines rolled out and found an open tight end in the endzone for a would-be touchdown.
The ball was dropped as the final seconds ticked away from the clock in the first half. It would prove somewhat costly.
The score would’ve put Ohio up 24-7 going into the halftime break. Instead, its lead stayed at 10 points.
Miami battled back in the second half, outscoring the Bobcats 27-0. Had the fake field goal resulted in a touchdown, the result might’ve been different.
Ohio still held a slight lead going into the fourth quarter. A Miami field goal tied the game at 17-17. They’d later go up 20-17 with another successful kick.
With seven more points on the scoreboard, the Bobcats would’ve still been in the game with a chance to win late. Instead, they collapsed.
Ohio fumbled with under two minutes left to play, trailing by three. Miami scored from 48 yards out on the very next play. The following possession, the Bobcats threw a pick six on their first play. The RedHawks scored 14 points in a matter of 30 seconds to pull away.
The unsportsmanlike penalty was rather meaningless in the grand scheme of things given the final outcome, though it might’ve changed playcalling and outlook for Ohio late in the game.
Regardless, I doubt we’ll see the RedHawks risk another 15 yards as the season continues by flashing field goal posts on the videoboard during opposing kicks.