Big Ten Implements Immediate Change to Onside Kicks After Minnesota Gophers Got Screwed

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PJ Fleck, Minnesota Gophers
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

After being dominated by the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of their game in Ann Arbor over the weekend, the Minnesota Gophers found some 4th quarter magic.

After trailing 21-3 going into halftime, PJ Fleck & Co surged all the way back, cutting the Michigan lead to just three points (24-27) with 1:37 remaining on the game clock. The Gophers had just one timeout remaining. But even if they had all three, there would have been little choice.

The Minnesota Gophers onside kick miracle that never happened

You have to try for an onside kick, in hopes of getting the ball back with an opportunity to tie or win. The chances of retrieving your own onside kick is miniscule, but it’s still a chance. And boy oh boy, did Minnesota kicker Dragan Kesich bounce a perfect end-over-end football into Michigan no-man’s land.

It was one of the most beautiful onside kicks I’ve ever seen. After Minnesota recovered, a flag was tossed for offsides, ruining what would have been one of the more miraculous plays in Minnesota Gophers history.

The Gophers would have had the ball back, near Michigan territory, only needing a field goal to force overtime. Instead, they lined up the onside kicking team and tried again. This time, the Wolverines recovered, ran the clock out, and the Gophers flew back to Minnesota as losers.

Big Ten admits mistake, changes referee position on onside kicks

Obviously, the Gophers were not offsides, but it’s not a reviewable play, so it didn’t matter. The Big Ten isn’t fighting their mistake. On Monday, just two days later, they made an official change to referee alignment during onside kicks. The change comes as a direct result of Minnesota getting screwed on Saturday. The Big Ten conference gave this statement to the Pioneer Press.

“Effective immediately, the Big Ten has been approved by the NCAA to implement a modified officiating mechanic … on 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.”

Big Ten statement (via TwinCities.com)

PJ Fleck told Andy Greder (Pioneer Press) that he is happy to see the conference make a change like this so quickly. He also noted that Big Ten officials admitted the play was “too tight to flag”.

Related: Who Deserves the Most Blame for Minnesota Gophers Loss @ Michigan?

Unfortunately, those comforting words won’t give Minnesota the ball at their own 36 yard line, with 1:36 remaining and a chance to win vs last year’s National Champions at the Big House. Hey, maybe next time, though…

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