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Published April 22, 2024

Ref’s mishap causes confusion on Decker play

Also, Green catches two big passes in front of home crowd.

As called on the field, it was another remarkable catch for Gophers wide receiver Eric Decker. He turned over one shoulder, then the other and hauled in the ball as he fell out of bounds. After bouncing on the turf for a few feet, the ball slid out of his grasp, but the referee ruled it complete. The play was reviewed. And confirmed. Then, it was reviewed again. And overturned. Yes, the classic double review. So common it left everyone looking around incredulously, probably thinking something along the lines of, âÄúHuh?âÄù As it turns out, the replay official in the booth believed the call on the field was incomplete, confirmed it, then realized he had just confirmed the wrong call. To be fair, the crew ultimately got the call right, but not before confusing the majority of those present at Ryan Field. âÄúI asked the ref after the play, âÄòWhat are you guys doing? How do you double review?âÄô âÄú Decker said. âÄúAnd he goes âÄòThe guy told me the wrong call and we had to make it.âÄô I go âÄòJust get it right the first time so weâÄôre not guessing out there.âÄô âÄú Green comes home Less than 25 miles from Ryan Field and almost due south, Paul Robeson High School is home to a stadium Brandon Green is much more familiar with. ItâÄôs where the sophomore receiver played his prep ball âÄî where, during his senior year, Green did everything for the Raiders except blocking for himself. He caught, he passed, he ran, he returned, he defended âĦ even kicked. He was a star. At Minnesota, GreenâÄôs role is less prominent, and he goes about his work quietly and without flair. But one need only look at his poise during important drives and his appetite for making catches at the most opportune times to realize heâÄôs perfectly comfortable being asked to make the big play. Against Northwestern on Saturday, Green caught just two passes, both in the fourth quarter. Out of context, it was perhaps not the day you would expect from a kid playing in front of what was essentially a home crowd. A look at the circumstances surrounding the catches, however, reveals just how big a game he truly had. ItâÄôs the GophersâÄô first drive after the Wildcats take the lead 24-21. It appears Minnesota is about to stall for the second straight drive, but on third-and-7, Green finds a seam up the middle and quarterback Adam Weber hits him for 27 yards and a first down. Seven plays later, itâÄôs a third-and-8. Weber to Green again for 10 yards and a first down at NorthwesternâÄôs 13-yard line. Three plays later, the Gophers score the go-ahead touchdown. âÄúWeâÄôve got to find a way to get him the ball more,âÄù Weber said. âÄúBut he comes up big for us, especially on third downs, it seems like.âÄù Added Gophers head coach Tim Brewster, âÄúHeâÄôs a clutch guy. IâÄôm happy for Brandon; heâÄôs at home in Chicago and played in front of his fans here.âÄù

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