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Watching the Michigan State Spartans game today had to be just as frustrating for fans of the away team as it was for just any college football fan. Mark Dantonio prepared his team for a tough road game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish just to have a win ripped from right under his arms. The Spartans played great defense all game long and saw nothing come positive come from it.
If you watched any of the game, you know just what I’m talking about. The numerous pass interference calls against the Spartans were just awful. It seemed like any time a crucial play was over and Michigan State stopped the Fighting Irish, the referees felt obligated to throw the yellow towel and keep the Notre Dame offense driving, taking away any momentum that the Spartans would have had.
Michigan State accumulated over 100 yards in penalties, leading to 17 Irish points. That’s not bad, right? Well, seeing as the Spartans likely would have allowed a touchdown or less with the defense they were playing and Tommy Rees’ inaccuracy, the game was won and lost because of the referees.
I am not usually one to blame the game on anyone but the two teams playing, but in this case, the referees became the main story of the game.
It’s sad to see a talented young cornerback like Trae Waynes play incredible defense throughout and get flagged for multiple interferences, basically shooting the kid’s confidence to an all-time low. The first-year starter was playing smothering defense all game long just to have a few pass interference calls take away from his best game as a starter.
I will give it to the refs that they got some calls right — like the Darqueze Dennard interception that was actually a pass interference — but for the most part, it dictated the game, wrongfully.
Dantonio should be making a call to the NCAA soon, because these refs cost him a 4-0 record.
Related: Notre Dame Needs More From Tommy Rees
Michigan State Penalties Cause Loss
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
