We knew it would happen again, but why did Ohio State fans have to be next to throw bottles on the field?

Last week, in one of the biggest games of the season, Texas fans embarrassed themselves by throwing bottles on the field after disagreeing with a call, but the craziest thing is it appeared to work. With the Georgia Bulldogs in Austin to play the Texas Longhorns, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck threw an interception that Jahdae Barron returned to the Georgia nine-yard line, but it was called back on a horrible defensive pass interference ball. After a lengthy delay, caused by the fans throwing bottles and cans onto the field, the officials overturned the non-reviewable call and set an appalling precedent. 

The officials ultimately got the right call, but by appearing to give in to the angry mob at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, they emboldened fans across the country to let their displeasure be heard and potentially felt by players and officials on the field. It was inevitable that some fanbase would follow suit, but unfortunately, it was Buckeye fans at Ohio Stadium on Saturday in Ohio State’s 21-17 win over Nebraska. 

Ohio State punted the ball away to Nebraska up four with just under four minutes remaining. On the first play of the Cornhusker’s final drive of the game, freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola threw over the middle of the field to Jahmal Banks who was quickly hit by Arvell Reese who forced a fumble. However, Reese was flagged for targeting which was upheld on review. Head coach Ryan Day was furious and threw down his headset on the field, which tacked on 15 more yards, taking the ball from the Nebraska 12 to the 46-yard line with consecutive penalties. 

Day appeared to start a trend with Ohio State fans then throwing bottles and cans onto the field. While it was an embarrassing display from those in attendance, it was made worse by the fact that, unlike last week in Austin, it didn’t work. 

Ultimately, Ohio State didn’t need the call overturned to win, sealing the game a few plays later with an interception of Raiola, but the program could still see some form of punishment from the Big Ten this week. Hopefully, Ohio State’s failed attempt to change the minds of the referees will prevent this trend from spreading to the rest of college football.