### Controversial Offsides Call Helps Michigan Survive Against Minnesota

In a nail-biting finish at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Michigan narrowly edged out Minnesota, 27-24, thanks in part to a contentious call by the referees. The Wolverines had squandered a comfortable three-touchdown lead, putting their victory in jeopardy.

The pivotal moment came during Minnesota's onside kick in the game’s final moments. With 1:36 remaining, trailing by just three points, the Golden Gophers recovered the onside kick at Michigan’s 38-yard line. Minnesota linebacker Matt Kingsbury recovered the kick cleanly after it eluded Michigan’s coverage team. However, the referees ruled Kingsbury offsides, a call that many found questionable.

Chris Petersen, a former head coach and Fox analyst, voiced his frustration immediately following the game. "I'm sick to my stomach right now, I really am," Petersen remarked. "I just hate to see this when the officials are making something up. Like I don't know why they would throw that flag. To me, these are always close calls, that ball's kicked. That's not egregious... what are we doing, let the kids play."

Adding to the debate, Mike Pereira, Fox's rules analyst, also disagreed with the call during the live broadcast, describing it as "awfully close." Pereira commented, "I don't think he's offside.... I don't think he's breaking the plane." Unfortunately for Minnesota, the play was not subject to review.

Michigan's Tyler Morris, a senior receiver on the Wolverines' hands team, shared a sense of relief following the official's call. "Them recovering it, it definitely brought up a lot of feelings," Morris said. "We knew we had to stick it out again and just hope that our defense could hold them to not even getting the field goal. And once we realized that they were offsides, it was definitely just a lot of relief."

The game’s conclusion has left fans and analysts debating the referees' decision, overshadowing an intensely fought game.