Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh ‘Bitterly Disappointed’ in Saturday’s Officiating

Trent Baker

Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh slammed the officiating in Columbus, OH Saturday following his team’s two-overtime 30-27 loss to rival Ohio State.

“I’m bitterly disappointed with the officiating today,” Harbaugh said to reporters.

The Wolverines coach was upset with the controversial call on the field that kept the Buckeyes’ hopes alive on fourth down.

Following the crucial spot by the officials, Ohio State’s Curtis Samuel scored the 15-yard game-winning touchdown.

“That spot,” Harbaugh said. “The graphic displays on the interference penalties, the one not called on us on Grant Perry clearly was being hooked before the ball got there. And the previous penalty they called on Delano Hill, the ball’s uncatchable and by the receiver. I’m bitterly disappointed in the officiating. Can’t make that any more clear.”

“My view on the first down was it was that short,” Coach Harbaugh said as he held his hands apart a few inches.

He continued, “Multiple holding penalties let go, multiple false starts, the official on my side is supposed to be watching that. He was concerned about whatever our coaches are in the white or not in the white. Not on the field. Their coaches were on the field, in the huddle at times. I’m bitter.”

Harbaugh was hit with an unsportsmanlike during the game after he threw his headset and papers.

“They could have been watching the game rather than being concerned about throwing a hat,” he said of his penalty. “Can you throw a hat? Can you throw a script toward your sideline? That’s a penalty? I asked him that and he said, it is in basketball. I said, this isn’t basketball. He told me that he officiates basketball. I don’t know the relevance. He told me it would have been a technical in basketball.”

Follow Trent Baker on Twitter @MagnifiTrent

COMMENTS

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.