The referees in the game between Purdue and Northwestern made a call that the college football world blasted.
Boilermakers linebacker Jalen Graham intercepted a Northwestern pass in his direction. Graham ran the interception back into the end zone for a touchdown. Or so he thought.
In reality, Graham’s touchdown was not actually a score. The referees took the TD off the board because Graham high-stepped on the way to the end zone.
Football writer Chris B. Brown tweeted, “Purdue interception return for a TD taken off the board, for “high stepping.” Coach Prime would be aghast.”
Purdue interception return for a TD taken off the board, for “high stepping”. Coach Prime would be aghast pic.twitter.com/r96shnUta7
— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) November 19, 2022
Tough to argue. This isn’t any fun at all. The last memorable instance of this was back in 2011. LSU punter Brad Wing had a touchdown wiped off the board after he showboated on the way to the end zone. That was lame then and this is even lamer now.
The NFL has carried the reputation of being the ‘No Fun League.’ It’s not a great recipe for college football to follow. A frustrating one, if anything. So the college football world reacted to the penalty with one general sentiment.
Mike Leslie of WFAA in Dallas tweeted, “We’re calling ‘highstepping into the endzone’ as a penalty now? Really? Hey guys – go play a kids game, but don’t you dare have any fun while doing it.”
We’re calling “highstepping into the endzone” as a penalty now? Really?
“Hey guys – go play a kids game, but don’t you dare have any while fun doing it.” https://t.co/J5caR6hlgI
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) November 19, 2022
high-stepping has ruined our nation's children and I for one am glad this referee is taking a committed stand to such atrocities https://t.co/N70YolaTB3
— Kevin Tompkins (@ktompkinsii) November 19, 2022
https://t.co/8nzt764p0M pic.twitter.com/M2f5vEhcnr
— Zoo With Roy (@zoowithroy) November 19, 2022
Taunting rules are egregiously dumb https://t.co/zCrlmG6zbk
— Dan King (@Kinger_DC) November 19, 2022