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Michael Wilbon calls for Big Ten to suspend officials from Northwestern at Nebraska after controversial holding no-call

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels4 hours agoChandlerVessels
michael wilbon northwestern
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Michael Wilbon is calling for the Big Ten to take action against the officials who called Saturday’s matchup between Northwestern and Nebraska. The co-host of Pardon the Interruption used Monday’s show on ESPN as an opportunity to send a message about a play that occurred late in the fourth quarter.

It was the final offensive play of the game for the Wildcats, who were facing fourth-and-6 from the Nebraska 35-yard line. A pass to Griffin Wilde fell incomplete, leading to a turnover on downs with a little more than a minute remaining. However, clips of the play that emerged on social media seemed to show Nebraska defensive back Andrew Marshall committing a holding penalty on Wilde.

Of course, no penalty was called and the Cornhuskers went on to run out the clock and secure a 28-21 win. But Wilbon was still upset about the play Monday and let his thoughts be heard.

“Northwestern got hosed at Nebraska by the Big Ten officiating crew, which was too gutless to make a call,” he said on PTI. “Gutless to make a call late. A holding call on a would-be touchdown pass. They didn’t make it. People should be suspended.”

The Big Ten has not made any comment on the no-call nor is there anything to suggest that the officiating crew is in danger of facing a suspension. We’ll wait and see whether any more news emerges on that front throughout this week, but it’s clear Wilbon, who attended Northwestern, was one of many upset fans.

The Wildcats weren’t the only ones upset with the officiating from Saturday, however. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule also addressed the referees postgame over a spot they gave to Northwestern on fourth down at the end of the third quarter that led to an eventual Wildcats touchdown later on that drive.

“The guys on my side were communicating, but they didn’t come over and tell me,” Rhule said. “I’m looking it up there [on the video board]. I saw him bobble it… Then they said, oh, the buzzer wasn’t working. If they had run that play, I would’ve been really upset. So I challenged it, then they said, ‘No, they buzzed it down.’ But it looked like the ball went up in the air, but I’m going to stay away from that one.”

It’s clear neither side was happy with the refs in Saturday’s game. Hopefully they get better calls in their respective matchups in the coming weeks as they look to close out the back half of the season strong.