Big Ten will not discipline Maryland–Nebraska crew or fine Matt Rhule

The Big Ten will not discipline the officials who worked Saturday’s Maryland–Nebraska game or fine Nebraska coach Matt Rhule for his postgame criticism, a conference spokesman told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The decision follows the conference’s acknowledgment that Nebraska’s final extra-point attempt was handled incorrectly.

Nebraska won 48-23 in Lincoln. After its last touchdown, the Huskers missed an extra point while Maryland was penalized for roughing the snapper. The Big Ten said Monday that the penalty should have produced another try, with the yardage enforced as half the distance to the goal.

Instead, the miss stood and the penalty was applied to the ensuing kickoff. The conference’s Monday statement said it had contacted the officiating team and would continue emphasizing consistent application of the rules.

Tuesday’s no-discipline decision is a separate development from that acknowledgment. AP’s Eric Olson reported the spokesman’s response, confirming that neither the crew nor Rhule would face disciplinary action over the game and subsequent criticism.

Rhule had said after Saturday’s game that he expected a fine. AP reported that the teams combined for 28 penalties, including 16 against Nebraska. The coach expressed frustration with both the officiating and his own team’s handling of the game.

In his Monday news conference, Rhule also accepted responsibility for the extra-point sequence. Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg reported that Rhule said an official had told him the kick was good when he asked, leading him to accept enforcement on the kickoff. He later learned the kick had missed and said he should have confirmed the result himself.

The same officiating crew, led by referee Jim Wharrie, worked the September 5 Western Michigan–Michigan game that ended in clock confusion. AP reported that Big Ten spokesman David Bassity distinguished that incident: replay officials ordered an extra second, and the on-field crew was not at fault.

The Big Ten’s response now includes both an admitted enforcement error in Lincoln and a decision against punishment. The conference said its follow-up with the crew would focus on applying the playing rules consistently.

The conference has acknowledged an error while choosing not to punish the crew. Rhule, who expected a fine for his criticism, also escapes disciplinary action.