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Shots fired? Did Mel Tucker take a swipe at Jim Harbaugh when addressing ‘bad calls?’
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In a recent press conference on Monday, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh stated that he believes that the B1G made some mistakes when officiating its game against Michigan State.
Harbaugh was referencing when the B1G told him the call on the fumble recovery in the first half of the Michigan State game in Week 8 was a mistake.
Then, in Michigan’s State Monday press conference Mel Tucker said this:
Tucker: “I don’t like to talk about bad calls. That’s not part of our culture. We don’t like to make excuses about anything. I think that makes your program soft and gives your players and coaches a way out.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 8, 2021
The timing of when Tucker made this statement makes it seem like it was a shot at Harbaugh. However Tucker was apparently talking about a targeting call that didn’t go the Spartans way in the Week 9 loss to Purdue.
Defensive tackle Simeon Barrow was ejected following a hit he had in the second half of the Purdue game. Purdue was up 28-21 at that point, and went on to win the game 40-29.
Was in response to a question about the targeting call on Simeon Barrow. Tucker said he and his staff submit certain plays to the league office for clarification, but that’s about it.
“That’s not going to change the outcome.”
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) November 8, 2021
Tucker stated during the press conference that the team will be submitting the footage of the targeting to B1G officials, and we will on feedback before commenting further on the call.
Tucker on Simeon Barrow targeting penalty/ejection: “We submitted the play this morning (to the Big Ten).” Expects feedback from league later today or tomorrow. “I’ll hold my comments until I get that back and have some information that might enlighten me or help coach better.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 8, 2021
Did Tucker just take a shot at Harbaugh or was it just a coincidence? We’ll let you decide.
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.