Fumble or incomplete pass? Michigan State ices win over Nebraska thanks to debatable call

Michigan State football clinched the 20-17 win over Nebraska, their first win since Sept. 9, on a strip-sack fumble forced by Simeon Barrow in the final two minutes of the game, but the play immediately re-lit the fire of an age-old debate about what is a fumble and what is an incomplete pass.

MSU's impactful defensive tackle powered through the right side of the Nebraska offensive line, forcing quarterback Henrich Haarberg to step up into the pocket under duress. Haarberg tried to throw the ball over the middle, but Barrow got his hand directly on the ball to knock it loose before Haarberg released it.

The ball fell onto the ground and linebacker Cal Haladay pounced on it to give MSU a chance to run out the clock. It was ruled a fumble on the field, much to the chagrin of Matt Rhule and the Nebraska coaching staff.

Fox Sports 1 on-air rules analyst Dean Blandino came onto the broadcast to say it should have been an incomplete pass instead of a fumble since Haarberg's arm was moving forward. He also disagreed with the ruling of Montorie Foster's touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter, which stood despite a review showing he might have bobbled the catch.

FULL GAME RECAP: Michigan State football ends losing skid with 20-17 win over Nebraska

Michigan State could not ice the game off the fumble. The Spartans ran the ball three straight times for no gain and settled for a 44-yard field goal attempt to try and extend the lead to six with 43 seconds left. However, Jonathan Kim, who hit from 51 yards earlier in the game, missed the kick to give Nebraska one final chance. Nebraska moved the ball out to the 50 to try to set up a Hail Mary attempt, but MSU finished the game with a sack to run out the clock.

Michigan State's defense finished with three total takeaways in one of their strongest performances this season. In addition to the fumble, Jaden Mangham and Khalil Majeed recorded interceptions. MSU held Nebraska to 283 yards and 17 points, the best defensive marks since the last win over Richmond nearly two months ago.

Next up, the Spartans will travel to Columbus for a game under the lights against Ohio State, who despite being ranked No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings, struggled early against Rutgers before eventually pulling away for a 35-16 win.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MSU ices 20-17 win over Nebraska thanks to favorable late fumble call