Watch: Purdue falls to Minnesota after phantom OPI call wipes out TD
Purdue thought for a few seconds it had scored the potential game-winning touchdown to complete what would've been an amazing late comeback against Minnesota on Friday.
The officials, however, overturned the score while making a controversial offensive pass interference call, and then the Golden Gophers intercepted Boilermakers quarterback Jack Plummer to escape with a 34-31 win.
Purdue thought they had the go-ahead touchdown the play before the interception
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 21, 2020
Was offensive pass interference the correct call? pic.twitter.com/hehZfcz3hT
This was called OPI, so with that said, I don’t know what..
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 21, 2020
- targeting is
- holding is
- a catch is
- and now, OPI is pic.twitter.com/NeNhImMNd8
INTERCEPTED@GopherFootball comes up with a HUGE turnover with less than a minute to play pic.twitter.com/jjpQ1jis9k
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 21, 2020
"I did not get a good explanation. Your guess is as good as mine," Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm said postgame, according to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.
"I wish I could comment what I really think," he added. "... I just know there was a touchdown (Minnesota) caught earlier in the game, about the same area on the slot receiver, he gave a little nudge and they didn't call that. I'll just stop there."
Minnesota defensive back Phillip Howard, who was covering Payne Durham on the play, didn't comment about whether the tight end pushed him before making the catch.
"Refs made a call," Howard said, according to Rittenberg.
The end of the game set social media ablaze:
ⓘ This claim is disputed. https://t.co/dLW9OoGvCb
— Purdue Athletics (@PurdueSports) November 21, 2020
Watching that “PI” call.. That’s WILD... Purdue got hosed
— Pat McAFLEET (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 21, 2020
I will set up a go fund me to pay whatever fine Brohm gets for whatever he says or does after what was just done to his team.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) November 21, 2020
That’s as bad a call as I have ever seen.
Well, I just saw the worst call I’ve seen all year. Big Ten officiating crew just absolutely robbed Purdue on some obscure Offensive Pass Interference call. Feel terrible for the Purdue Players. Brutal call.
— Greg McElroy (@GregMcElroy) November 21, 2020