Kirk Herbstreit defends the refs on no-call late in Ohio State-Penn State game

Penn State defeated No. 2 Ohio State 24-21 last night. Most of the college football world knows that by now.

But, remember late in the game when Ohio State was driving to either tie or potentially win? It was 2nd-and-10 and the Buckeyes tried a deep pass to James Clark.

Penn State defensive back Jordan Smith blatantly grabbed Clark’s arm before the ball got there, but no flag was thrown. This led to an outrage on Twitter:

That was pass interference man!!!

— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 23, 2016

Yeah, that's not pass interference at all. ???? pic.twitter.com/M7EraOmtTc

— Steve Andress (@Steve_Andress) October 23, 2016

This wasn't called pass interference https://t.co/sNlVJUxvcc

— Sports Nation Ohio (@SN_Ohio) October 23, 2016

This morning, since the talk of the non-call has continued, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit decided to chime in and give his two cents:

In super slow mo? Yes it's PI. However real time? You'll never see it called against that specific technique-In fact DBs are taught to do it https://t.co/u9nntMXOfU

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 23, 2016

Anybody could see he grabbed his arm I'm tellin you officials won't make that call-Talked to 2 former Head Officials after gm who confirmed https://t.co/h471qKQnNx

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 23, 2016

Completely different call and technique. I'm done. https://t.co/WNASiEkbgH

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 23, 2016

He wasn’t done.

It's not awful officiating or "swallowing" the whistle it's just really hard technique to call a foul on. Again DBs are TAUGHT to do it. https://t.co/9kEkM7YLVB

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 23, 2016

And for those thinking Herbstreit has this undeniable bias for the Buckeyes:

Thanks Garrett. https://t.co/QN3VWd2blF

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 23, 2016

Do you think the officials missed that pass interference call late in the game? Herbstreit doesn’t think so.