LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska coach Matt Rhule spoke out in defense of Big Ten officials as the league issued a statement acknowledging the team missed a key position late in the first half in the team’s 21-17 loss Cornhuskers vs. Ohio State on Saturday.

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson made the mark needed for a first down, Big Ten Chief Operating Officer Kerry Kenny said in Monday’s statement, on a second-and-2 rush with less than two minutes to play before halftime as the Huskers with were 14 behind. 3. Officials spotted the ball just short of the line and failed to use replay, the Big Ten said, to stop play and correct the spot.

This was NOT ruled a 1st down for Nebraska…

The piece has NOT been graded.

The clock did NOT stop and the Huskers had to burn their last timeout of the half.

The performance at CFB is a problem. pic.twitter.com/xI73cmrk3c

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) October 26, 2024

The Huskers, with one timeout remaining, lost about 30 seconds of clock time. They played six more times before kicking a 54-yard field goal at the end of the half.

Several other calls on Saturday came under scrutiny, including an offensive pass interference on the same possession against Nebraska wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, as well as a targeting call on Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese on the Huskers’ final possession as they tried to reach the potential to drive. winning touchdown.

Rhule said Monday he appreciated the transparency shown by Big Ten coordinator of officials Bill Carollo and Commissioner Tony Petitti.

“I want to make sure everyone understands what I stand for,” Rhule said. “I plead for the civil servants. I think we should let them control the game. We just have to let them make the decision and live with the outcome.”

He said he’s not interested in criticizing judgment calls like pass interference or holding, but the league needs to do better at managing its officials in other situations.

Last year, Rhule said, Nebraska was notified after games of three mishandled replay reviews that went against the Huskers. The second-year Nebraska coach said that in the aftermath of two flags thrown against him on the sidelines this season — in games at Indiana and Purdue — he was told by the league that the officials had made a mistake.

“I don’t want any more excuses on Sunday,” Rhule said. “This can’t happen against UCLA. It can’t happen against Iowa. These things can’t happen if we move forward.”

Nebraska, at 5-3 after back-to-back losses, hosts UCLA in Lincoln on Saturday, looking for a sixth win to secure bowl eligibility.

“We have to play better,” Rhule said. “Before we can worry about the officials, we have to worry about ourselves.”

(Photo: Kyle Robertson/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)