Joel Klatt Turns Ohio State Apologist After Oregon's Win in Autzen: "Poor call"

On the Joel Klatt Show following Ohio State's 32-31 loss to the Ducks in Autzen Stadium, the Fox color analyst seemed to suggest the Buckeyes were robbed by the officials.

To Klatt, it all came down to the play in the fourth quarter where sensational freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith got flagged for a 15-yard penalty for pass interference.

"I was shocked watching the game that they called offensive pass interference," Klatt said.

"I talk with officials all the time, and generally speaking, here's what it comes down to: For offensive pass interference, they want to see clear extension. They want to see the arm clearly extend in order to gain separation."

The penalty was indeed crucial, as the result of the play would have given the Buckeyes the ball at the Oregon 21, 3rd and 2 with 22 seconds to play and two timeouts, already close enough for a 38-yard field goal. Instead, the flag backed them up to the 43. 2nd and 25, out of field goal range.

Trouble was, Smith's action fit the TEXTBOOK definition of offensive pass interference, however rarely it is called. He pushed off, violently, to gain separation.

Smith is a great player, one of the emerging stars of the game. This was absolutely and indisputably a foul. College football doesn't have an unwritten rule like the NBA where star players get dispensation in the final minutes of the game. Klatt's explanation doesn't pass the smell test, or any other kind of test.

Now if he wants to do a segment on Jeffrey Bassa's interception on the opening drive of the game, that'd be marvelous. But get out of here with this Buckeye excuse-making and drumming up alternative facts. The Buckeyes lost. They're still enormously talented and would be dangerous in a rematch.