Sports

All-22 Video Of Wisconsin’s Game-Winning Touchdown Shows Pass Interference Led To Penn State Loss

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Wisconsin Penn State offensive pass interference Jacob Harris penalty All-22 video
NBC

Penn State blew a 17-point lead to Wisconsin during the Homecoming college football game on Saturday. However, the Badgers appeared to commit offensive pass interference on what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.

The All-22 angle creates an officiating debate.

Regardless of what college football fans think the call should’ve been, it was called on the defense. The penalty was declined.

Penn State blew a 17-point lead.

No. 13-ranked Penn State jumped out to a 17-0 lead over Wisconsin with 10:29 remaining in the second quarter. It looked like the Nittany Lions were going to cost to victory against a Badgers team that was projected to finish near the middle of the pack in the Big Ten. Luke Fickell might be on his way out of Madison. Matt Campbell is the future in Happy Valley.

And then the momentum swung the other way.

Wisconsin got on the board before halftime. Penn State held a 20-17 lead with three minutes and 31 seconds left in the game. The Nittany Lions essentially needed to pick up a first down (or two) to seal the win. They went three-and-out.

The Badgers took over on offense with 2:28 on the clock. The first five plays of their six-play, 85-yard scoring drive went like this:

  • Incompletion
  • 5-yard penalty
  • 2-yard run
  • 25-yard pass
  • Incompletion
  • 5-yard penalty
  • 2-yard run

The sixth play went like this:

Tight end Jacob Harris caught a pass at the 47-yard-line and took off running. He scored a 72-yard touchdown to take the lead. Penn State could not answer on the subsequent drive. Game over.

It was Wisconsin’s first road win since 2024, first ranked road win since 2021, first win against the Nittany Lions since 2011 and first win at Beaver Stadium since 2003. On the flip side, it was a catastrophic loss.

Did Wisconsin commit offensive pass interference?

Depending on who you ask, the touchdown could’ve been called back for offensive pass interference. Here is how it looked on the NBC broadcast:

Jacob Harris is 6-foot-6, 265 pounds. He steamrolled 6-foot-1, 216-pound Penn State defensive back Marcus Neal Jr. at the 34-yard-line before he caught the pass from Colton Joseph. Neal got rag-dolled. His teammates could not cover for him.

Officials actually did throw a flag on the play. They called Neal for defensive holding.

The penalty was declined and the touchdown stood but it definitely could’ve (and maybe should’ve?) gone the other way.

Take a look at the All-22 angle:

Did Joseph initiate contact?

The touchdown would have been called back if Wisconsin was called for OPI. The Badgers would’ve had 3rd-and-23 from their own 18-yard-line instead of six points. Did the officials make the right call? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!