And then someone saw the flag.
Pass interference. On a fourth-and-three from the Miami 5. In overtime. After first signaling incomplete pass -- setting off the Miami celebration -- field judge Terry Porter threw the yellow hankie a few heartbeats after the ball fell to the turf. The penalty was on 'Canes freshman corner Glenn Sharpe who was checking OSU's Chris Gamble.
Glenn Sharpe was called for pass interference against Chris Gamble in OT in the Fiesta Bowl. "I saw the guy holding the guy prior to the ball being put in the air," Porter said. "He was still holding him, pulling him down while the ball was in the air. I gave the signal for holding. Then I realized it should be pass interference because the ball was in the air."
Porter, part of a Big 12 officiating crew, says the call was delayed because he replayed it in his mind: "I wanted to make double sure it was the right call."
Don't you think the ref knew the outcome of the game could hinge on this call or non-call? Give him credit for pausing to replay it in his mind before throwing the flag.
The Buckeyes played smart, capitalized on turnovers and shut down the vaunted Miami running game, forcing the 'Canes to play Ohio's style of football.
The Buckeyes have bought into Tressel's system. With Tressel's top ranked recruiting class of a year ago already contributing to this year's successes, one can only imagine what the future may hold as more highly recruited prospects opt for OSU in order to play for a man like Tressel, and to have a shot of playing for a title. GO BUCKEYES!!!