While he never put Big Ten officials on blast for the penalty, Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck has since praised the conference for making a rule change to officiating following the 27-24 loss to the Michigan Wolverines last weekend.
The Gophers were trailing by the final score when they recovered an onside kick that already had them close to field goal range at the Big House on Saturday. However, a referee threw a flag and called the Gophers offsides, which resulted in a re-kick.
Minnesota then failed to recover the second kick and Michigan ran the clock out and claimed the Little Brown Jug.
Related: Questionable late penalty on onside kick ends Gophers' hopes in 27-24 loss to No. 12 Michigan
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Speaking with reporters this week, Fleck initially stated he had exchanged words with Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti regarding changes needing to be made going forward.
"Yeah, okay, here's what I'll say about that. [I] had a conversation with the Big Ten commissioner [Tony Petitti], the officials. We know they are reviewing it and we expect to hear something this afternoon. So, that's all I'll say about the last play," Fleck said on Monday.
The Big Ten announced a decision on Tuesday, saying it has received permission from the NCAA to alter the way it positions its head line judge and line judge on onside kicks.
It's not a do-over, as Fleck joked about while on KFAN with the team's play-by-play announcer after the decision was announced.
"You didn't hear? They said we get to play them one more time. Get everybody back together during the bye week. We get one play, We get the ball at the 39-yard line, one timeout, [1:37] to go," the Gophers head coach joked.
Fleck said he never was trying to come off like he was blaming officiating for the loss, as he instead simply wanted accountability to be had.
"They listened to it, they made an adjustment that makes it better for every team in our conference," he said.
Minnesota had come all the way back down 24-3 to start the fourth quarter, adding to the crushing defeat that was decided by a penalty late in the game.
Fleck and the Gophers host the USC Trojans at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.