The scene here: Indiana’s trailing Ohio State, 20-14, in the third quarter of their season opener on Thursday in Bloomington. Ohio State wraps up Indiana quarterback Richard Lagow in the backfield, and the ball pops loose. Ohio State picks up what’s ruled a fumble, and defensive tackle Robert Landers runs it back for a crucial touchdown.
Ohio State loses a crucial TD (and a Piesman Trophy candidate) because of this call
Robert Landers almost had both.
But it didn’t work out that way.
After a video review, officials ruled the play an incomplete pass, not a fumble. They decided Lagow’s arm had been moving forward, and he’d pushed the ball forward as if he were throwing it. By the looks of the replay, it was the proper call.
The relevant rule here:
When a Team A player is holding the ball to pass it forward toward the neutral zone, any intentional forward movement of his hand or arm with the ball firmly in his control starts the forward pass. If a Team B player contacts the passer or ball after forward movement begins and the ball leaves the passer’s hand, a forward pass is ruled regardless of where the ball strikes the ground or a player
Indiana’s Team A, and Ohio State’s Team B. Lagow’s arm moved forward with the ball clearly under his control, so this was never a fumble.
It’s a shame, because this would’ve been a Piesman Trophy contender, too.
You’re familiar with the Piesman, I hope. It’s SB Nation’s annual honor for linemen who do decidedly un-lineman-like things, such as recovering fumbles and rumbling many yards upfield to score touchdowns. Landers was nearly the early-season frontrunner.
It’s also a shame for Ohio State, because the Buckeyes would’ve gone up 27-14 if the touchdown had counted. Instead, Indiana kept the ball and scored, taking the lead on the same drive, 21-20. That’s probably what’ll eat at Ohio State fans the most.
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