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Big Ten announces rule change following controversial onside kick call in Michigan vs. Minnesota

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh09/30/24griffin_mcveigh
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Jeff Hanisch | USA TODAY Sports

Controversy struck in Ann Arbor on Saturday as Minnesota was mounting a comeback against Michigan. An onside kick was recovered by the Gophers late in the fourth quarter but was flagged for being offsides. However, people have spoken out against the call, saying the play should have stood and given Minnesota a chance to tie or win the game.

Following the sequence, the Big Ten has announced a rule change with onside kicks. The play will now be officiated differently, placing two referees on the kicking team’s restraining line, usually the 35-yard line. This would allow two people to make the determination of whether or not a player is onside or offside.

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“Effective immediately, the Big Ten has been approved by the NCAA to implement a modified officiating mechanic that will allow the conference to change the manner in which it officiates onside kicks by positioning the Line Judge and Head Line-Judge on the kicking team’s restraining line, thereby putting multiple officials in the best position to consistently make the correct judgment,” a statement said via ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Minnesota’s onside kick came after a long touchdown drive, putting them within three points. Just 1:36 remained on the clock and the Gophers had just one timeout. For all intents and purposes, the game was hanging on who secured the kick.

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A recovery from Minnesota meant the offense would be sent out there with an opportunity to produce something special. Instead, the offsides penalty was called, Michigan ran three plays, and the clock eventually struck zero.

In his report, Thamel adds the Big Ten did not admit the wrong call was made during the game. Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck gave the conference credit for making the rule change in order to get future calls correct.

“We credit the Big Ten Conference for recognizing the need to make this change to ensure accurate calls in the future,” Fleck said via Thamel. “We submitted the play to the Big Ten Coordinator of Officials for review. The Coordinator informed us the play was too tight to flag.”