Offensive Pass Interference was the Right Call

I didn’t think I’d have to write this blog today, but here we are. If you want to see how easy it is for media to shape a narrative in this country, just dial up “minnesota vs purdue pass interference” on the old “AOL” CD or rewatch the SportsCenter(s) that aired on ESPN this morning… or just keep reading this blog.

You’d think the Purdue Boilermakers had their virginity stolen by the referees last night at TCF Bank Stadium on this decisive offensive pass interference call late in the 4th quarter. You’ve all seen it by now.

Purdue gets this touchdown called back from a controversial OPI call and then get picked on the next play as Minnesota (+105 ML) holds on to win 34-31 @betthepigskin pic.twitter.com/772od8Meoh

— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) November 21, 2020

The OPI in Minnesota-Purdue might actually be the worst call made by an official in the history of football

— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) November 21, 2020

Purdue was flagged for offensive pass interference on a potential game-winning touchdown and threw an interception on the next play. Minnesota won 34-31.

HC Jeff Brohm, like those who took the Boilermakers at -2 on @BetMGM, was not happy with the call.pic.twitter.com/CmpQxFjRjv

— BroBible (@BroBible) November 21, 2020

What a garbage call against Purdue. Hard to blame Boilermaker fans for being upset about this one.https://t.co/MJiyKEzNNN

— OutKick (@Outkick) November 21, 2020

Court of Public Opinion: Fire Everyone Involved

There were a few people out there who saw this for what it was from the very beginning, myself included, and that’s a blatant offensive pass interference penalty. Sure, I didn’t see it right away either but there were holes in the original video evidence, from the beginning.

The only person that should be fired from this situation, is the Big Ten camera guys and/or gals who couldn’t find an original camera angle that could even keep the receiver and defensive back in the shot, let alone show an angle that explained the call.

Seriously, go back and check the replay again. All of the camera angles lose both players at the break of the tight-end’s corner route. But if you were paying close enough attention, which Twitter user @Scrappy937 was, then the offensive pass interference call easily becomes explainable, if not obvious.

Let’s take a look again, but with some better angles.

This is what pass interference looks like. pic.twitter.com/49Bf1PdRJZ

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) November 21, 2020

GIF: Here's a far-away look at call of offensive pass interference against #Boilermakers, which turned game for the #Gophers' win.

Purdue's Payne Durham technically did extend his arm to separate from Minnesota cornerback Philip Howard, but is it enough? pic.twitter.com/4C5WftrMpV

— Andy Greder (@andygreder) November 21, 2020

That’s it. That’s the blog. If you’re still dying on the, “the refs screwed Purdue out of a victory vs the Gophers” hill, that’s a “you” problem. The Boilermakers and their fanbase should worry more about the complete collapse they had right after this call didn’t go their way. They had over 50 seconds left to get at least 3 points so this game could go to overtime and were already in borderline FG range, even after the penalty.

Instead, the QB threw a game-ending interception on the very next play. Jeff Brohm shouldn’t spend anymore time crying about this call (like he was last night). Brohm is now 1-3 vs PJ Fleck in his career and ZERO of those losses can be blamed on the referees.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan