Was Michigan State football robbed when refs picked up OT flag, leading to Minnesota win?
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Michigan State football might have been robbed of its first conference win of the season.
The Spartans (3-6, 0-6 Big Ten) suffered a 23-20 overtime loss to Minnesota on Saturday, Nov. 1, in Minneapolis. The Spartans had the ball first in the overtime period and appeared to benefit from a third-down pass interference call on Minnesota defensive back Kerry Brown in the end zone, a flag that would have set up a first-and-goal inside the Minnesota 5-yard line.
Except the referees picked up the flag a few minutes later despite evidence that suggests the penalty should have been called.
Pretty clear he had his jersey pic.twitter.com/lUhgpTUlk3
— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) November 1, 2025
Instead of getting the ball with a fresh set of downs inside the 5-yard line, the Spartans settled for a 36-yard field goal and took a 20-17 lead.
To make matters worse, the referees called a pass interference penalty on Michigan State defensive back Malcolm Bell during Minnesota’s overtime possession on a play that looked similar to the non-call from the previous series. That gave Minnesota first-and-goal at the MSU 4-yard line, and the Golden Gophers scored three plays later on a rushing touchdown by freshman quarterback Drake Lindsay to win the game.
GAME OVER!!!!
Drake Lindsey takes it himself and wins the game for Minnesota. #Gophers are bowl eligible and win 23-20. Michigan State remains winless in the Big Ten.
It was NOT pretty, but the #Gophers remain undefeated at home this season.https://t.co/1yJFNb4qEUpic.twitter.com/LgjrDSCPUr
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) November 1, 2025
That play also came with some controversy, as there was some evidence to suggest that Lindsey had not reached the end zone before stepping out of bounds, which would have given Minnesota a fourth-and-inches on the goal line. But the call was upheld and Minnesota escaped with the win.
Many Michigan State fans and college football commentors online were not happy with the series of overtime calls. Here’s a sample of their reactions.
Michigan State controversy social media reactions
THEY PULLED THE FLAG BACK ARE YOU KIDDING ME 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Evan Fox (@evanfoxy) November 1, 2025
WAIT WAIT WAIT.
1.) Minnesota got called for a clear Pass Interference, PJ Fleck CRIED for 3 minutes and they PICKED UP THE FLAG forcing Michigan State to take 3.
2.) The very next possession, Minnesota is CLEARLY short on 3rd and goal and they UPHOLD the TOUCHDOWN?!?
This…
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) November 1, 2025
lol so in the Minnesota/ Michigan State game they call defensive PI, spot the ball and then have a discussion and pick the flag up? How does that even happen? @bigten@MSU_Football
— 🫡@DaState127 (@DaSmith127) November 1, 2025
Michigan State just got absolutely screwed I’m not even gonna lie at all
Michigan State also needs more Joe Rossi personality and less Jonathan Smith.
You gotta show some fire and passion man.
— Underwood Unleashed (@Underwood_szn) November 1, 2025
I won’t say Big Ten refs just cheated Michigan State for a second-straight week
But Big Ten refs just cheated Michigan State for a second straight week
— Justin Frommer (@JustinbFrommer) November 1, 2025
Wowww I’m a Michigan fan through and through but Michigan State has to be pissed about those ref decisions and honestly… I don’t blame them. That DPI was weak but overturning it was odd. Then the Minnesota QB was definitely short of the TD but that gets upheld. Oof.
— Katie ✨ (@ciaokatie) November 1, 2025
MSU coach Jonathan Smith says it is “tough to totally describe” the loss to Minnesota. Asked about the PI call, explanation was “there’s not just one referee out there.” Said one ref came in late with a strong opinion and they picked it up. “I felt it was late” with the flag.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 1, 2025
There are times when Embattled Coaches have all the breaks go against them and that was Jonathan Smith and Michigan State today. Some very questionable officiating at the end.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 1, 2025
At the very least you fire Lindgren. Should be him and Smith but Lindgren cannot coach another second at MSU
— Posa. fire Jonathan Smith (@justposa) November 1, 2025
lol Michigan State football is so cursed right now. Lawd.
— Justin Rose (@JRoseDet) November 1, 2025
You can reach Christian Romo at cromo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MSU football ref controversy in overtime leads to Minnesota win
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