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WATCH: Dean Blandino says MSU should have been awarded a 3rd try at last-second FG

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

At least one rules expert is claiming the officials missed a huge call on the very last play of Michigan State’s 10-7 loss to Arizona State.

The ending did not go the Spartans’ way, and it was absolutely a brutal finish. After falling behind with less than a minute to go, quarterback Brian Lewerke guided the offense into field goal range. Kicker Matt Coghlin tried and converted what appeared to be a game-tying 42-yard field goal.

Unfortunately, a booth review was initiated to determine if the Spartans had 12 men on the field. They did and were penalized five yards and forced to re-try the kick. Coghlin missed badly on the 47 yarder as time expired, ending the game.

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Except that is where the mistake was made. FOX rules analyst Dean Blandino broke down the missed kick and explained that Arizona State should have been penalized for leaping. On the try, one Sundevil is clearly charging and leaping over the center, which is a penalty.

Here’s the replay of the missed kick:

According to Blandino, the leaping infraction would have incurred a 15-yard penalty and allowed the Spartans to retry a 32-yard field goal. Unfortunately, unlike the 12-men review, the leaping penalty is not a reviewable offense.

Here’s Blandino’s full breakdown:

Obviously, there are no guarantees that Coghlin would have connected on the ensuing try after his rough day kicking. Still, it has to sting for the Spartans knowing that they should have had one more chance.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.