Moore: Jeremiah Smith's TD a 'big piece' of Michigan's loss

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore lamented key momentum shifts in the Wolverines' 27-9 loss to rival Ohio State on Saturday.

Moore specifically noted the 35-yard touchdown reception by Buckeyes receiver Jeremiah Smith. The sophomore appeared to briefly lose possession when Michigan's Brandyn Hillman tackled him before he crossed the goal line. Smith bobbled the ball before entering the corner of the end zone and stepping out of bounds.

Fox Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira said he believed the score should be ruled a fumble and touchback instead of a touchdown.

The play was the subject of a lengthy review before officials announced that the touchdown would be upheld, giving Ohio State a 10-6 lead.

"We start out the game with a pick, going and throwing at Jeremiah Smith. ... At that point, I think it's 6-3. And if that's a touchback, it gives us a little momentum," Moore said postgame, per Fox College Football. "It was a big piece, but we got to do the other things in the other spots to go win."

Moore added, "They said he had control of it - didn't look like he had control of it," according to The Associated Press. "They told me that it was inconclusive."

The Big Ten officiating crew said it didn't have a good enough view to overturn the call on the field.

"We did not have a camera angle to determine when the ball was loose as opposed to when it crossed the goal line," Big Ten referee Kole Knueppel said, per Cleveland.com's Stephen Means. "So by rule, if we don't have an angle to confirm by obvious video evidence that the ball was loose before he crossed the goal line, then the play is going to be upheld."

Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin bounced back after throwing an interception on Ohio State's first possession. The sophomore passer found his rhythm, completing 19 of 16 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. Smith finished with three catches for 40 yards after missing last week's game against Rutgers with a lower-body injury.

Ohio State snapped a four-game losing streak to its bitter rival Saturday. It was the Buckeyes' first win over the Wolverines since a 56-29 victory in 2019.

Michigan concludes the regular season with a 9-3 record.