Michigan Fans React to Controversial Referee Call After Kyle Whittingham Shows Visible Disagreement

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A flag in the end zone has Michigan fans fuming, and head coach Kyle Whittingham did not appear to be on board with it either. Early in Saturday’s game at Minnesota, Wolverines defensive back Chris Bracy was called for pass interference on Gophers receiver Noah Jennings near the goal line.

“Kyle Whittingham did not agree with this PI call on Michigan,” Fox College Football posted on X with a clip, in which the coach’s expressions are visible enough.

Bracy had a strong reaction of his own, and he put his hands on his head and went up to the official to protest, but the penalty stood. “Right at the goal line, Bracy is number seven, and he kind of shows up right there. Ball’s behind him. That’s not a very good call by the official,” the commentator said during the play.

The booth’s point was that Bracy was making a play on the ball, and the throw was behind Jennings, so it did not look like a penalty to them.

A controversial whistle just shifted the entire momentum of a major college football matchup. Stay subscribed for instant analysis of the calls that define seasons.

The play occurred with 7:36 remaining in the first quarter. Minnesota had a 2nd 7 from Michigan’s 11-yard line. Had the penalty not occurred, the Gophers would have faced a 3rd-and-7, and the Wolverines could have limited the home team to a field goal. Instead, the penalty made it 1st and goal from Michigan’s 2-yard line.

This game is the 100th battle for the Little Brown Jug at Huntington Bank Stadium. It is also Michigan’s first road game of the season, and Whittingham is in his first year as the Wolverines’ head coach.

The Gophers scored first when Darius Taylor caught a 33-yard pass down the sideline and then ran in from two yards out for a 7-0 lead. Michigan answered early in the second quarter after Drake Lindsey was picked off while throwing under pressure. Jordan Marshall ran in from five yards to tie it at 7-7.

The game didn’t stay tied for long as Minnesota was driving late in the first half and looked ready to take the lead. Then Lindsey tried to hit a big play downfield, and Michigan linebacker Nathaniel Staehling stepped in and picked it off. He took it back 79 yards for a touchdown, and the Wolverines went up 14-7.

While Michigan fans’ anger must have subsided after the two interceptions, they were not pleased with the initial penalty call.

“It’s a garbage call. It’s obvious the refs are gonna be against Michigan all year since that damn Western Michigan game,” a fan wrote.

That fan here is talking about a Week 1 game when Michigan escaped Western Michigan 13-12 on a last-second Hail Mary touchdown. It only happened because replay officials put one disputed second back on the clock. The Big Ten said time was still left on the clock inside its replay system, even though the stadium and TV clocks showed zeros.

“Probably cause that was the softest PI call that the world has ever seen,” another fan wrote. That matches what the commentator said, since the pass was behind the receiver and Bracy was in position to make a play.

“Absolutely horrendous call that handed Minnesota a touchdown,” a comment read. “That was an awful call. Lmao,” another fan said.

Bracy’s own protest to the official right after the flag was just as clear. “It’s probably the worst call college football world will see today,” a fan commented.

Whittingham’s disagreement was the part Fox chose to highlight, and fans clearly noticed. The flag stood, and the game was 7-14 at halftime at the time of writing. How much it ends up mattering depends on how the rest of the afternoon goes.

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