Ad Disclosure
Controversial ending: Phantom pass interference costs Purdue the game vs. Minnesota
Published:
Controversy in the B1G.
On Friday night, perhaps one of the worst offensive pass interference calls in the history of college football was made, and it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time in the game. It cost Purdue the game and propelled Minnesota to a 34-31 win in Week 5.
Jack Plummer hit Payne Durham in the back of the end zone for a touchdown pass, giving the Boilermakers a lead with less than 1 minute to play. But a flag was thrown on Durham for pass interference. The problem? He doesn’t appear to even touch the defensive player.
Below is the clip that has everyone talking.
Purdue TE Payne Durham scores the go ahead TD here with under a minute left, but refs flag him for OPI, Purdue then ends up throwing an INT and Minnesota wins the game pic.twitter.com/Fc7RLL1iBh
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) November 21, 2020
You got some 'splainin' to do. pic.twitter.com/FZWmnGxsi6
— Andrew Pogar (@AndrewPogar) November 21, 2020
Obviously, head coach Jeff Brohm wasn’t happy about the call. And on the next play, Plummer threw an interception that secured the victory for Minnesota.
It was a tough pill to swallow for Brohm and the rest of the Boilermakers. Not only did the call cost Purdue the game, but it is no longer in the B1G West title chase after falling to 2-2 on the season.
Minnesota, with the win, is now 2-3.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB