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Big Ten says refs handled controversial Nebraska TD correctly

Sam Cooper
College football writer

The Big Ten says its officials used “proper officiating mechanics” on Nebraska’s controversial game-winning touchdown against Michigan State.

The controversy arose when Huskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong found wideout Brandon Reilly down the left sideline for a 30-yard score with 17 seconds remaining in Saturday night’s game. Reilly took multiple steps out of bounds before coming back in bounds and making the catch. But instead of penalizing Reilly and Nebraska for illegal touching, the officials ruled that Reilly was forced out of bounds by Michigan State cornerback Jermaine Edmondson, making it a legal play.

The Big Ten said in a statement to ESPN.com that it was a “judgment call handled by the officials” and that Reilly “re-established himself in the field of play and completed the catch.” The call then stood after a replay review.

"Per NCAA rules, the instant replay crew cannot review the severity of contact, as that is a judgment call handled by the officials on the field," the Big Ten's statement said. "If the player went out of bounds without contact, he may not return to the field to make the catch unless it has been touched first by an opponent. The instant replay crew did confirm contact between the players, that the wide receiver re-established himself in the field of play and completed the catch. After the replay review, the referee announced that the play stands as called on the field. The intent of instant replay is not to review all judgment calls."

Michigan State got the ball back after Nebraska’s controversial score, but a Connor Cook pass fell incomplete as time expired, resulting in a 39-38 Nebraska win.

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio told reporters after the game that he saw the replay.

“That’s not my job (to judge what happened). My job is to coach,” Dantonio said. “That’s somebody else’s job.”

The loss was the first of the season for the Spartans.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!