Miami (Ohio) defeated Ohio 34-17 in the Battle of the Bricks on Tuesday at Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio, after overcoming an early 17-0 deficit.
Missed Field Goal Triggers Rule Violation Investigation
The turning point of the first half arrived in the waning seconds as Ohio kicker Brack Peacock lined up for a 34-yard field goal attempt to extend a 17-7 lead. Peacock missed wide after the kick struck the upright, but game officials immediately intervened.
Referees cited Rule 1-1-6 of the official NCAA rulebook, which prohibits audio, video, and lighting system operators from creating distractions that obstruct play or interfere with team signals. Replays showed Yager Stadium video operators displaying multiple yellow uprights directly behind the physical ones.
"There were depictions of the field goal uprights on the scoreboard. That is a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct against Miami." Ohio then opted for a fake field goal and dropped a TD to end the half. #MACtion pic.twitter.com/A1xh7VRdSz
Similar optical deception tactics have surfaced elsewhere in football, most notably when Oklahoma State placed yellow vertical lines on its video board during a 2020 game against Texas. “a diabolically clever piece of Patriots gamesmanship,” former NFL team analytics expert Ryan Paganetti said of the New England Patriots using a rear-angle video board display featuring offset yellow uprights during road-team field goal attempts at Gillette Stadium.
The NFL subsequently issued a memo prohibiting teams from displaying flashing images, blinking effects, or moving text and images on stadium screens during kicking plays.
Never seen this call before 😭 Miami (Ohio) was called for a penalty for having too many field goal posts on the video board 😅 pic.twitter.com/bRHZcpU8B7
Failed Fake Field Goal
Benefiting from the automatic first down, Ohio opted for a fake field goal rather than another kick. Punter and holder Magnus Haines rolled out and threw a pass toward defensive lineman Evan Herrmann in the end zone, but Herrmann dropped the potential touchdown as time expired in the half.
“We get the scoreboard penalty, which I didn’t even know there was such a thing,” Miami coach Chuck Martin said after the game, according to Sportsnet.ca.
Second Half Comeback
Trailing 17-7 at the break, Miami scored 27 unanswered points in the second half. Brady Stidham kicked a 25-yard field goal to tie the game 17-17 with under four minutes remaining. Following an Ohio fumble, running back D’Shawntae Jones rushed for a 48-yard touchdown.
The win lifted Miami to 6-4 overall and 4-2 in conference play, while Ohio dropped to 7-3 and 5-1 against league opponents.
Ohio called a fake field goal that was working great until pic.twitter.com/X2bznXmpW0
Multiple goal posts used as a distraction on the video board results in the DOINK! Refs throw the flag for illegal use of the video board. Second FG attempt is a botched snap! #MACtion pic.twitter.com/y6ph8TnHb5
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