Ohio State scored 28 unanswered points during the first half of Saturday’s college football game against Marshall and took a substantial lead into the locker room at the break. However, the visitors were robbed of an opportunity to tie the game during the second quarter by a controversial penalty.
There is an argument to be made both in favor of the call and against it!
The Thundering Herd lined up to punt from around midfield on 4th down. Buckeyes kick returner Brandon Inniss set up at his own 17-yard-line. He completely misplayed the kick.
Marshall defensive back Ahmere Foster got to Innis right as the ball bounced up off of the turf and knocked it toward the end zone. Ohio State did not have anyone else in the area so it was an easy recovery for the kicking team that set up the offense with fantastic field position.
But there was laundry on the field…
MUFFED PUNT BUT THE FLAG GOES UP
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 21, 2024
Marshall will have to rekick this one 😬 pic.twitter.com/0Ntt0hQJWO
A penalty was called on the Thundering Herd for an illegal proceedure. Big Ten officials ruled that it did not have enough players on the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped, so both teams were called back for a re-kick.
The Buckeyes recovered the second punt without issue. Running back Quinshon Judkins went 86 yards to the house shortly thereafter and put them up by 14.
Momentum swung heavy in Marshall’s favor on the botched return. A game-tying touchdown was right within reach, if not inevitable. Instead, Ohio State got a second chance and essentially put the game away.
Here is the penalty in question:
"They are saying there's not enough players on the line of scrimmage for Marshall." @JoelKlatt breaks down the penalty called against Marshall on the potential muffed punt ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/E94vbUvqs6
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 21, 2024
It was ruled that the right side of the Thundering Herd’s front five was too far off of the line of scrimmage for the formation to be legal. There is no doubt that they were staggered, which could warrant the flag.
With that being said, the Big Ten officials made an extremely objective ruling that does not often get called.
As an example, let’s look at one of the Buckeyes’ legal punt formations from the past. I count three players right on the line of scrimmage.
Maybe I am missing something, but I also count three players on the line of scrimmage for Marshall on the punt was called back.
What’s the difference??