Jim Harbaugh Blasts Refs Following Michigan’s Loss To Ohio State


Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh voiced his displeasure with multiple calls the refs made during the Wolverines’ loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday.


To say Jim Harbaugh was unhappy with the referees during Michigan’s 30-27 double-overtime loss to Ohio State on Saturday would be an understatement.

Harbaugh said multiple times during his postgame press conference that he was “disappointed” with the officiating throughout the contest.

The Wolverines entered the game ranked No. 3 by the College Football Playoff committee, but the defeat will likely drop them out of top four and also prevented them from facing Wisconsin in next week’s Big Ten title game.

Harbaugh was most upset with the refs’ spot of the ball on a 4th-and-1 play from the 16-yard line with Ohio State driving in the second overtime and Michigan leading by three. J.T. Barrett was stopped near the line to gain, but the officials awarded the Buckeyes with a first down even after the spot was reviewed.

Curtis Samuel ran a sweep to the left for the winning touchdown on the very next play.

“It wasn’t a first down, by that much,” Harbaugh said, holding up his hands to indicate the distance he felt Barrett was short. “I’m bitterly disappointed with the officiating today.”

Harbaugh went on to dispute a number of calls made by the refs, including pass interference calls and non-calls both ways. He also said that a referee explained that he was penalized for throwing his headset because “it would’ve been a technical in basketball.”

“The graphic display is the interference penalties,” Harbaugh said. “One not called (for) us on (Michigan wide receiver) Grant Perry – clearly he was being hooked before the ball got there. And the previous play they called on (Michigan defensive back) Delano Hill, the ball was uncatchable and (past) the receiver. So, I’m bitterly disappointed.”

At least one of Harbaugh’s players agrees. Defensive end Graham Wormley responded when asked about the 4th-down play, “Looked like he was short.”

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