Mel Tucker fires back at Jim Harbaugh for calling out officiating

Michigan and Michigan State played two weeks ago, but there is still controversy surrounding the game. After a controversial call by officials on a touchdown run, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has been clear in his frustration with what he thought was an incorrect call, and Michigan State coach Mel Tucker has fired back.

In the second quarter, Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker ran in for a 27-yard touchdown. But as he crossed the goal line, Walker lost the ball and it rolled out of the back of the end zone. Despite an apparent fumble, officials reviewed the play and the original call stood, cutting Michigan’s lead to 10-7.

Two weeks later, Tucker has responded to Harbaugh and commented on the officiating.

“I don’t like to talk about bad calls,” Tucker said via Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press. “That’s not part of our culture. We don’t like to make excuses about anything. I think that makes your program soft and gives your players and coaches a way out.”

The call obviously had drastically different impacts on Tucker, Harbaugh

Earlier on Monday, Harbaugh said that the Big Ten told him that “they made a mistake” on the call. That means that Michigan State’s touchdown should not have counted and Michigan should have gotten the ball back with its ten point lead in tact.

Harbaugh went on to say that “the film doesn’t lie” on Monday. The Big Ten also apparently admitted that there were other mistakes in the game. While Harbaugh and Tucker are obviously on opposite ends of the spectrum on this issue, Tucker’s message was clear. He doesn’t want to be known for complaining about calls, especially not two weeks after the game was played.

The game between Michigan State and Michigan propelled the Spartans into the top four, although their Week 10 loss put them right back on the outside. Both teams are now 8-1 on the season and could theoretically still be alive for the College Football Playoff. Michigan has games at Penn State and Maryland before hosting Ohio State to end the regular season. Michigan State hosts Maryland this week before heading to Ohio State next week and ending the regular season against Penn State.