Controversial taunting call sets up go-ahead first-half touchdown for No. 4 Ohio State against No. 3 Penn State

A questionable taunt call on Penn State cornerback Elliot Washington II gave No. 4 Ohio State a free first down and then the lead in the teams' top-five matchup on Saturday.

Washington tackled Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate after Tate went down on third down. Tate missed the first down badly and the stop would set up an Ohio State punt. However, Washington was immediately cited for taunting because he looked down and stepped over Tate as he stood up.

This is how it developed. You can see how quickly the official threw the flag right next to the game. Did he hear Washington say something?

The NCAA rules against taunts are very broad and simply trespassing on an opponent in this way is not directly addressed. At best it is an extremely weak penalty and you can make a convincing case as to why it should not have been awarded in the first place. Especially in a game of this magnitude.

According to the rules, a player can be cited for unsportsmanlike conduct if he “verbally taunts, entices or ridicules an opponent,” a delayed, excessive or choreographed act and even “bowing at the waist after a good play.” While the symbolism of trespassing on an opponent you have attacked is obvious, it is also not explicitly listed as an action that alone would be worth a personal foul.

Ohio State scored four plays later when Will Howard hit Brandon Inniss for a 21-yard TD and a 14-10 lead. It was the second straight TD the Buckeyes scored after No. 3 Penn State took a 10-0 lead thanks to a pick-6 from cornerback Zion Tracy.