In the 2024 college football season, the Ohio State Buckeyes found themselves at the center of one of the most controversial officiating decisions.

In the 2024 college football season, the Ohio State Buckeyes found themselves at the center of one of the most controversial officiating decisions.

During a late October matchup against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese was ejected in the fourth quarter for a targeting penalty after a hit on Nebraska wide receiver Jahmal Banks. The call, made after an extensive video review, not only disqualified Reese but also granted Nebraska a crucial 15-yard advancement as they attempted a game-winning drive. Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day, vehemently protested the decision, leading to a sideline warning and a delay caused by fans expressing their disapproval. In the days following the game, the NCAA reviewed the incident and overturned the targeting call, acknowledging the officiating error. This sequence of events was highlighted by On3’s Pete Nakos as one of the season’s most egregious officiating mistakes.

 

This wasn’t an isolated incident for Ohio State in 2024. The same game against Nebraska featured another officiating blunder when the Cornhuskers were denied a clear first down on a 3rd-and-1 play. Despite replay evidence showing they had reached the line to gain, the officials ruled otherwise, forcing Nebraska to use a timeout during a critical moment in the first half. The Big Ten later issued a statement acknowledging the mistake, further underscoring the game’s officiating challenges.

 

Beyond this particular game, concerns about biased officiating against Ohio State were raised throughout the season. National analyst Josh Pate highlighted a startling statistic: out of 134 FBS teams, Ohio State ranked last in opponent penalization. This discrepancy fueled discussions about potential systemic biases in officiating, especially as the Buckeyes navigated high-stakes matchups.

 

Despite these adversities, Ohio State demonstrated resilience, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals. They faced the Texas Longhorns and emerged victorious with a 28-14 win. A pivotal moment in the game was a 75-yard touchdown reception by TreVeyon Henderson just before halftime, shifting momentum in favor of the Buckeyes. This victory propelled them to the championship game against Notre Dame, underscoring their ability to overcome challenges both on and off the fi

eld.