Jim Leonhard sought answers from officials about pass-interference calls in Wisconsin's loss to Illinois
MADISON – Jim Leonhard spent more time than he cared to on Saturday looking for guidance from the officials.
“There was a couple (calls) I would like to get answers for,” Leonhard said.
The calls — defensive pass interference — occurred in Wisconsin’s 34-10 loss to Illinois.
Cornerback Jay Shaw was flagged two times and cornerback Justin Clark was flagged once.
Leonhard from the UW sideline sought out the nearest official looking for answers.
“What can we do differently?” he asked. “What can I tell my guys? Because situations where you are getting (the) receiver initiating contact on you…What can I tell my guys to do?
“A little bit of the answer was: ‘Well, it’s chicken fighting. I’ll never call it.’”
Leonhard’s response:
“Well, we’re calling it," he said. "I was trying to get answers for our guys because I thought they were in position to have success, in position to make plays.”
Shaw was called for interference in the end zone on fourth and goal with 4 minutes 38 seconds left in the opening quarter and UW trying to protect a 7-0 lead.
Wide receiver Brian Hightower was the target and the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Hightower and Shaw battled for position in the end zone. The ball sailed high and incomplete but when Shaw looked at the field he saw two yellow flags.
He appeared surprised and quarterback Tommy DeVito scored from 1 yard on the next play.
More: 'It’s time to get it done': Jim Leonhard is ready for Wisconsin to show growth on the football field
Shaw was flagged in the second quarter, with the Illini facing first and 10 from the UW 29.
He engaged wide receiver Pat Bryant along the sideline, with both players hand-fighting. The penalty went on Shaw, who again appeared confused by the call.
That gave the Illini a first down at the UW 14.
Clark was flagged four plays later while trying to cover Bryant. Clark clearly didn't agree with the call, though it appeared he wrapped one arm around the receiver's waist to impede his progress.
The third penalty gave the Illini a first down at the UW 3 and DeVito scored from 1 yard two plays later to help the Illini take a 14-10 lead.
UW never recovered.
The defensive backs could see plenty of action Saturday at Northwestern.
The Wildcats have passed the ball on 54.7% of their offensive plays. Quarterback Ryan Hilinski averages 44.4 passes and 285.8 passing yards per game.
“Obviously, when you get flags in critical moments, it’s not good for your team,” Leonhard said. “It’s not good for the morale. And that’s when, to me, you saw things break down.
“You saw the emotion and the energy on the sideline dip. It changes the game. We weren’t good enough on Saturday to overcome that, the swings of emotion. We have to be better.
“There’s going to be plenty of 50-50 calls that we can’t complain about. To me it is: What is the answer? What can I give them to settle them down?
“Because then they change. They change how they play and you want them to have confidence in the techniques you’re teaching them.”
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jim Leonhard sought answers about pass-interference calls in UW's loss
