Bret Bielema calls out refs for catch ruling on Michigan’s final drive

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema called out the referees after Saturday’s game following their ruling on a pivotal play in Michigan’s final drive.

The Illinois Fighting Illini nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2022 college football season. They traveled to Ann Arbor and pushed the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines to the limit, carrying a 17-10 lead into the fourth quarter. However, Michigan was able to pull away with a 19-17 win behind three field goals by Jake Moody, including the 35-yard game-winner.

A play from Michigan’s final drive of the game circulated across social media, where they alleged that the Wolverines got away with a pick play on an eight-yard reception by Isaiah Gash on fourth-and-three.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema caught this on Twitter and sent out a response, saying “we will work all week in practice to defend this play especially on 4th down.”

Bret Bielema responds to controversial play on Michigan’s final drive

This was far from the only controversial call on this drive. On second-and-10, quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw a pass to Cornelius Johnson for a five-yard gain. Despite the fact that the ball touched the field, officials called it a catch.

After the game, Bielema didn’t hold back when voicing his displeasure with the officials and the calls they made. The video comes courtesy of Andy Olson of WCIA 3 in Illinois.

“I’m extremely pissed off, very angry, very upset,” said Bielema. “Think our kids did a lot to win the football game, and continually have things just go against us. Very frustrating, and you’ve got to stand up for the people you believe in. I believe in that locker room big time, and I know they’ll rise up to that challenge once again.”

Illinois had nine seconds remaining in regulation after Moody’s go-ahead field goal to try and win the game. Unfortunately for them, they could only get two plays off, one being a 14-yard completion and the other being a deep pass falling incomplete to end the game.

Star running back Chase Brown shined once again for the Fighting Illini, picking up 140 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries while catching three passes for 24 yards.

Illinois nearly handed Michigan their first loss of the season. During and after the game, Bielema let it be known he was not happy about the officiating.

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