n Illinois' first scoring drive, despite what TV replays showed was a fumble recovered by Ohio State, the crew awarded possession to Illinois. The instant replay system that could have overturned the call was not used. The play would not have been reviewable if an official had blown the play dead before the fumble occurred. But neither the crew nor the Big Ten ever provided an explanation. Illinois won the game by seven points, the margin provided by that ensuing touchdown. After the game, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he heard there were technical difficulties with the video equipment in the replay official's booth.
"We had a couple of technical difficulties with what we were doing, too," he told reporters, downplaying the significance of the issue. "So you know, that didn't make the difference in the game."
During the game, the officials called only three penalties a week after calling 22 penalties in the Penn State-Purdue game. Ohio State was penalized twice for 9 yards and Illinois was penalized once for 10 yards.
During both games involving the controversial calls, probably few fans knew the crew members and their positions: umpire Pat Bayers, linesman Jack Teitz, line judge Robert Davis, back judge Dennis Morris, field judge Bobby Sagers, side judge Joe Duncan and Pamon, the referee and crew chief. Probably even fewer fans knew about Pamon's personal and financial troubles that have persisted.
Ohio State should be undefeated. They will roll in the Superdome.
