LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska coach Matt Rhule defended Big Ten officials as the league acknowledged in a statement that their team missed a key spot late in the first half in the Cornhuskers’ 21-17 loss to Ohio State on Saturday have.

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson scored 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 left before halftime. as the Huskers trailed 14-3. The officials spotted the ball just short of the line and failed to use replay to stop play and correct the score, according to the Big Ten.

This was NOT considered a 1st down for Nebraska…

The piece has NOT been reviewed.

The clock did NOT stop and the Huskers had to take their final timeout of the half.

The office in the CFB is a problem. pic.twitter.com/xI73cmrk3c

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) October 26, 2024

The Huskers, who still had a timeout, lost about 30 seconds. They completed six more plays before kicking a 54-yard field goal at the end of the half.

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

Rhule said Monday that he appreciated the transparency of Big Ten officials coordinator Bill Carollo and commissioner Tony Petitti.

“I want to make sure everyone understands where I stand,” Rhule said. “I stand up for the officials. I think we should let them decide the game. We should just let them decide the game and live with the result.”

He said he wasn’t interested in criticizing decisions like pass interference or holding, but the league needs to better manage its officials in other situations.

Last year, Rhule said, Nebraska was notified after games of three abusive replay reviews aimed at the Huskers. The second-year Nebraska coach said that after two flags were thrown at him on the sideline this season – during games at Indiana and Purdue – the league told him its officials had made a mistake.

“I don’t want any more apologies on Sunday,” Rhule said. “That can’t happen against UCLA. That can’t happen against Iowa. These things cannot happen in the future.”

Nebraska, which is 5-3 after consecutive losses, hosts UCLA in Lincoln on Saturday and is looking for a sixth win to secure bowl eligibility.

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

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