When you look back at turning points in a game, this simultaneous catch by both Penn State and Ohio State with the Nittany Lions already up eight points in the third quarter is surely that.
This Penn State-Ohio State TD/interception counted as a PSU TD. Here’s why it was the right call.
Tie goes to the runner?
Who do you think actually caught this?
The applicable rules here pretty much say that the tie actually does go to the receiver. Per the NCAA rulebook (emphasis ours):
Any forward pass is complete when caught by a player of the passing team who is inbounds, and the ball continues in play unless completed in the opponent’s end zone or the pass has been caught simultaneously by opposing players. If a forward pass is caught simultaneously by opposing players inbounds, the ball becomes dead and belongs to the passing team.
This was originally ruled as an interception for Denzel Ward, but upon review, the officials gave Penn State’s DeAndre Thompkins the touchdown, citing that the receiver had possession of the ball as he went to ground (which he did).
Ohio State fans aren’t gonna like it, but it is the right call.
See More:
