Former Gophers and current Michigan State defensive coordinator Joe Rossi looked livid over a pass interference call that weighed heavily in Minnesota’s 23-20 overtime win on Saturday.
Postgame, however, Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith didn’t take much issue on that flag given to defensive back Malcolm Bell for contact on U receiver Le’Meke Brockington.
Drake Lindsey’s third-down pass had fallen incomplete, and without the penalty it would have been fourth and 4 from the 19-yard line.
“Not every call is going to go your way,” Smith said. “Dang, this is an emotional game. Those are the calls.”
That wasn’t the only pass interference call that weighed heavily on the outcome. In the first overtime, the officiating crew picked up a flag for pass interference on Gophers safety Kerry Brown. Instead of a first and goal for the Spartans, it was fourth and 3 from the 18, and Michigan State kicked a 36-yard field goal.
“The explanation was — there is not just one referee out there, they got eight of them — the communication of the group of eight that put eyes on the call, one came in with a stronger opinion to pick it up,” Smith said. “I felt it was delayed in getting there, but that was what the explanation was.”
The Gophers would score the game-winning touchdown on the next series.
Tribute
The Gophers welcomed back the friends of Fletcher Merkel — the 8-year-old boy who was murdered in the Annunciation Church shooting in August.
That group of kids and parent chaperones shared a great moment with Merkel during the Gophers’ upset of Southern California last October.
On their return trip to the U this weekend, the group attended the U’s practice Friday and Saturday’s game. They received game balls from head coach P.J. Fleck after the win.
In the wake of the tragedy that killed two and injured 30, Fleck said it was an small opportunity for some to start healing and creating new memories.
“They could smile,” Fleck said. “And I thought they did.”
Injuries
Gophers top running back Darius Taylor missed the Michigan State game. The junior from Detroit pick up an undisclosed injury before the Iowa loss last weekend and played only three snaps against the Hawkeyes.
The leading rusher has now missed three games and parts of three others.
In warmups Saturday, starting cornerback Za’Quan Bryan injured his shoulder and couldn’t play. Minnesota was already without defense backs Garrison Monroe and Mike Gerald, who have been dealing with ailments for weeks.
Cornerback John Nestor, who left the Iowa loss with an injury, returned and contributed six tackles.
Minnesota was also without role-playing receivers Logan Loya and Kenric Lanier against the Spartans. Loya also missed the Iowa game, while Lanier’s absence is new.
Other Gophers who remained out: linebacker Jeff Roberson, defensive tackle Theorin Randle, receiver Cristian Driver, offensive lineman DJ Shipp and others.
A handful of Gophers got hurt during Saturday’s game to varying degrees: Star defensive end Anthony Smith (but he returned), linebacker Joey Gerlach, safeties Kerry Brown and Darius Green and Brockington.
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