Dax Hill shares if he felt he got the INT vs. Nebraska, explains the taunting penalty

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football safety Daxton Hill played a big role in the Wolverines’ 32-29 win over Nebraska in Week 6, with an early interception that was tipped into the air before he managed to somehow secure it while falling to the ground. Certainly, it was a point of contention for the Husker faithful, but the replay showed that he was able to get a hand under the ball to make the catch.

Still, how did it feel in real-time to Hill? He explained on Tuesday whether or not he felt he actually had possession in the heat of the moment.

“At first, I kinda felt like it touched the ground, but I knew I had it!” Hill said. “I don’t know what happened, but all I know is I came up with it.”

But that wasn’t the most controversial moment.

Nebraska had the ball at midfield with enough time on the clock to at least get into field goal range. Though its kicker, Connor Culp, has been shaky, at best, this season, given the back and forth nature of the game, it appeared that the Cornhuskers had a shot to tie the game — or win it outright — as time expired.

The Michigan defense made a stand, forcing a fourth-and-long pass attempt, which went unconverted. After the play was over, Hill stood over leading Huskers receiver, Samori Toure, and drew a taunting penalty. Thankfully for the Wolverines, the turnover on downs had already happened, thus the maize and blue could just run out the clock on the timeout-less Nebraska Cornhuskers.

“We were just playing the game, kinda got in my head a little bit,” Hill said. “It’s the play we got to come through. It was a good play by all of us. We stopped them on fourth down, so. . .”

So, what happened in that moment, considering the usually reserved Hill found himself on the wrong end of what could have been an ill-timed penalty?

“I feel like — I mean, I kinda knew what I was doing!” Hill said. “But, at the same time — it was just how the game went. It was an exciting game. The crowd was all into it. We all, as players, being out there — just the heat of the moment.”

Was there any anxiety when he saw the flag, thinking he might have inadvertently given Nebraska one more shot at the tie or win?

“A little bit, not gonna lie! A little bit. But got the first down for the offense, so it was good.”

Michigan moves on now after the bye week to Northwestern, which it hosts at noon EDT at The Big House.

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Ranking Big Ten quarterbacks by PFF passer grade through Week 7