Officials grilled for questionable intentional grounding call in Michigan's win over Maryland
Officials in the Michigan vs. Maryland game had some interesting calls late in the fourth quarter of the hard-fought Week 12 contest. One directly put points on the board for Michigan and took the ball away from the Terrapins.
Backed up against his own goal line, Taulia Tagovailoa was called for intentional grounding in the end zone. By rule, that play is a safety with Michigan getting 2 points and possession late in the fourth quarter.
The safety made it 31-24 Michigan, and the Wolverines were able to roll the clock out to secure the win. Here is how the play looked:
Intentional grounding for a safety 😬
Tough penalty for Maryland pic.twitter.com/Q05j5Ov98m
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 18, 2023
That play was not without some drama as many argued Tai Felton was indeed in the area of the pass. The FOX broadcast and rules analyst even mentioned the play is indeed a pure “judgment call” on the part of the officials and is not reviewable.
Intentional grounding or not? Here’s how social media reacted to the call:
“no receiver in the area” https://t.co/nKhtcLeNRC pic.twitter.com/Pg4ZZwUCsR
— Derek Peterson (@dr_petey) November 18, 2023
We’ve gone from “receiver in the area” to “you’d better hit him head high or it’s a penalty” https://t.co/bP5F8y1nmO
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) November 18, 2023
What the hell happened to intentional grounding? I mean what are we doing here? This has never in decades of this rule been called. https://t.co/fqKtgtbmJu
— Ben Gretch (@YardsPerGretch) November 18, 2023
Terrible call. Refs ice the game for Michigan. Big Ten is so predictable. #MICHvsMD #TBIA @B1Gfootball https://t.co/faqMA6JV2B
— Cʜᴜᴄᴋ ᴅᴏᴜɢʟᴀs ✪ (@ChuckDouglas_) November 18, 2023
Awful officiating. Zebras had to get involved in the tight game late. When will this garbage stop? The apology letter on Wednesday doesn’t help anything. https://t.co/7sPy9fmUjE
— Ben Hall (@bhjournalist) November 18, 2023
What are these refs smoking??? https://t.co/JuhsPOSeot
— JACK SETTLEMAN (@jacksettleman) November 18, 2023
I don’t want to hear any more conspiracies from Michigan folks
Bailed out https://t.co/VL9QYIkMUh
— Porter Larsen (@Larsen_ESPN) November 18, 2023
Unbelievably bad call
Somebody’s cooking for Michigan https://t.co/VeEeGLsvDL— LivingCrimson (@LivingCrimson) November 18, 2023
Here’s the grounding penalty. It’s a tough call, judgment call. Two points for #Michigan. https://t.co/hAYxYHRdBF
— John Tisdell (@JohnTisdell) November 18, 2023
….. gotta help Michigan out and make sure they win 🙄🙄🙄 https://t.co/Xvh7IjB8C5
— Amber (@adalabraves) November 18, 2023
Ball reaches the line of scrimmage
+ Receiver in the area
= Intentional grounding? https://t.co/4hb6Zk3loh— Daniel ”Master of the Elements” Kotnik (@DKalltheway) November 18, 2023
That flag ain’t thrown vs. Michigan. https://t.co/mD8L7uzNzy
— Will Rubin (@WillCRubin) November 18, 2023