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Garrett Wilson just learned that faking a catch on a punt return can be painful.
During the first quarter of the Ohio State game with Minnesota, Wilson was back to receive a punt from Minnesota punter Mark Crawford. As the ball sailed over Wilson’s head, he was drilled by Gophers cover man Jalen Glaze.
How is this not a flag? Seemed like a cheap-shot against Garrett Wilson. pic.twitter.com/ezO1vGQkRH
— THE Bunch of Nuts Podcast (@bunch_nuts) September 3, 2021
No flag was thrown — and the controversy began.
While Wilson didn’t indicate a fair catch, as a returner he is allowed to have room to make the catch per the rules. The question of whether by faking the catch afforded him the same protection that would be allowed had he have been actually making the catch is not clear. The ball was clearly sailing over Wison’s head, and hit a full 10 yards beyond where the contact took place. If that’s the case, is he close enough to the falling punt to be considered a returner, or would he be just another player on the return team?
That would be the question.
Do we have a clear answer?
Nope.
But, as usual everyone has an opinion, and more than enough fans took to social media to give their interpretation of what should have been done.
How was that not a penalty? Garrett Wilson got plowed.
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 3, 2021
Wait, that's legal?
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/SchutteCFB/status/1433589129279856642
Wait were is the penalty for hitting Wilson on that play #OhioState
— DON GHANN (@anansipkr) September 3, 2021
I'm like 90% sure that should have been a penalty for drilling Wilson on the punt return
— Sports Talk Spicer (@SportsSpicer) September 3, 2021
Its far different b/c you have to give the PR the opportunity to catch the ball if hit hasn't hit the ground.
The QB that faking to run doesn't have that protection https://t.co/R16iGrmdQa
— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) September 3, 2021
Garrett Wilson just got lit up on a fair catch, ball sailed over his head, and there’s no penalty?
— Jack Carey (@TheJackCarey) September 3, 2021
You can't hit the returner before the ball hits the ground… that should be a penalty regardless of if he is actually trying to catch it
— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) September 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/MikeEisenmann/status/1433589327452426243
No penalty ?? Just letting Wilson get DRILLED there HUH
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) September 3, 2021
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.