Gophers game features first-ever all-Black officiating crew in Power 5 football
From left: Darrel Leftwich, LaShell Nelson, James Robinson, Gregory Nelson, Terry Young, Calvin Diggs, Commissioner Kevin Warren, Edward "Ed" Feaster, Gil Marchman, Larry "Smitty" Smith, Lamont Simpson, William "Will" McKoy, Dorsey Skinner and Robert Smith Jr.[Brad Rempel/University of Minnesota]
Saturday’s game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Michigan Wolverines made history, and it had nothing to do with the players.
An all-Black officiating crew — comprised of 11 men and one woman — called the game, a first in any major-conference football game, according to a news release from the Big Ten Conference.
The crew, led by referee Larry Smith, includes nine on-field officials, a replay official, a communicator and a timer.
According to the release, minorities and women make up 22% of the Big Ten’s football officials.