{"id":174319,"date":"2023-01-01T14:44:07","date_gmt":"2023-01-01T14:44:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/overturned-td-takes-7-key-points-from-michigan-in-fiesta-bowl\/"},"modified":"2023-01-01T14:44:07","modified_gmt":"2023-01-01T14:44:07","slug":"overturned-td-takes-7-key-points-from-michigan-in-fiesta-bowl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/overturned-td-takes-7-key-points-from-michigan-in-fiesta-bowl\/","title":{"rendered":"Overturned TD takes 7 key points from Michigan in Fiesta Bowl"},"content":{"rendered":"
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GLENDALE, Ariz. \u2014 Whether the game would have played out the same is anyone’s guess. No one ever really knows.<\/p>\n

But Michigan had seven key points wiped from the scoreboard early in the second quarter of Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl loss to Texas Christian, a 51-45 final at State Farm Stadium that saw Jim Harbaugh’s team needing another seven points to claim victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I was in, but I can’t see from the outside,\u201d receiver Roman Wilson would later tell reporters.<\/p>\n

The officials, however, thought differently. Here’s what went down: Michigan had just capitalized on a Rod Moore interception a player earlier when quarterback JJ McCarthy dropped back to pass and hit a wide-open Wilson streaking down the middle of the field.<\/p>\n

Wilson, who had five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown, bobbled the football at first before coming down with it and landing on the goal line. The catch was originally called a touchdown by the officiating crew before replay review overturned the call.<\/p>\n

More:<\/b> Michigan RB Kalel Mullings ‘disappointed in myself’ after goal-line fumble<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn’t really upset, I was just happy that I could go out there and make a play,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cI had a lot of confidence that we were going to score after, and we didn’t. I had confidence that we were going to do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, on the very next play, backup running back Kalel Mullings excelled off the left hash and fumbled the football as he dove across the line of scrimmage \u2014 a turnover that netted Michigan zero points instead of seven.<\/p>\n

The SEC-based officiating crew was not made available for comment after the game, but a Fiesta Bowl spokesman told MLive that any overturned calls were at the sole discretion, and judgment, of replay.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ll take a closer look at it,\u201d head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game, choosing not to comment on the overturned call or replay review for targeting before the final play.<\/p>\n

TCU never turned its ensuing drive into points, perhaps negating any negative effect from the call, but six points loomed large late when Michigan was attempting a late-game comeback. The Wolverines pulled within a possession twice in the fourth quarter, and even got the ball back with under a minute to go.<\/p>\n

But the mistakes early, compounded by a failed fourth-and-goal play call and Mullings’ ensuing fumble at the goal line, proved to be too much.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt happens. it’s football; it’s life,\u201d starting offensive lineman Trevor Keegan said. \u201cWe got to execute on the goal-line there and pound it in. That’s what we’ve done all season; there’s no excuse for us not to get it in there.\u201d<\/p>\n