Illinois players and coaches were convinced that Jarred Fayson made a catch and was down to extend a drive in the final minute of a 21-16 loss to Northwestern on Saturday. But Sherrick McManins was awarded an interception, a call that was upheld after a review of the play.

Referee Dan Capron made the following statement to a pool reporter:

“What the line judge saw was the Illinois receiver attempt to catch the pass, but he never completed possession of the ball. He was on his back in the field of play and the ball was basically on his chest. The receiver did not firmly grab and possess the ball. Before had had an opportunity to do so, the defender from Northwestern came up and did possess the ball and that’s why it was ruled an interception on the field.

“That play was then buzzed by the replay booth, as we expected it would be given the magnitude of the call. Then, (replay official) Tom Quinn determined that there was no indisputable video evidence available to overturn the call on the field.”

Illinois coach Ron Zook felt that Fayson had made the catch but did not want to comment further on the play. Quarterback Jacob Charest also expressed his belief that the catch had been made. He had lined the Illini up to run their next play when it was announced that the interception was upheld.

“I thought he caught it 100 percent,” Charest said. “I wasn’t even thinking interception. But we were all getting ready for the next play. No one thought it but that referee.”

Zook didn’t want his players pointing fingers because of one call that went against the Illini. Illinois still would have had more than 60 yards to go in 32 seconds to win the game. But he offered this final analysis.

“Everybody has bad games,” he said. “Players have bad games, coaches have bad games and obviously officials have bad games. That’s the way it is.’