Casey Thompson addresses offensive pass interference calls

On3 imageby:Andrew Graham10/13/22

AndrewEdGraham

In Nebraska’s 14-13, come-from-behind win at Rutgers on Friday night, the officials called three offensive pass interference penalties. Two against the Scarlet Knights, one against the Huskers.

To any number of people watching, it seemed a bit excessive, but Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson thought the refs were actually getting things just about right. He could not, however, recall that many called in one game.

“But, the refs did a good job of seeing it. Tonight they only called it because they were just fully extending their arm,” Thompson said. “The one we had really killed us because we would’ve went all the way down the field on that drive.”

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The offensive pass interference on Nebraska that Thompson mentioned came right at the tail end of the first quarter. Rutgers led, 10-0, and Huskers wideout Trey Palmer was flagged for the penalty on 1st and 10. While Thompson was convinced the drive would’ve gone otherwise without the OPI, Nebraska punted three plays later.

On the other hand, a Rutgers offensive pass interference in the third quarter waylaid a drive that looked promising. The Scarlet Knights managed to convert another first down but punted shortly after that.

Plus, a personal foul call against Rutgers after a failed Nebraska third-down conversion with four minutes remaining in the game helped the Huskers bleed off three more minutes of clock.

So while the offensive pass interference penalties might’ve felt excessive, Thompson won’t be complaining about the end result.

“But I thought the refs did a pretty good job tonight, especially at the end. They called a couple for us, too,” Thompson said, smirking. “And it worked out in our favor, we got the win.”