Australian punter Blake O'Neill has received death threats after fumbling and losing the ball with just 10 seconds left in one of American college football's biggest rivalry games.
O'Neill's University of Michigan Wolverines were leading 23-21 on Saturday against the Michigan State Spartans when the Melbourne punter came on to boot the ball downfield and likely end the game.
The former fashion model and Australian Rules footballer attempted to catch a low snap, he dropped it, then picked it up and tried to kick it but the ball landed in Michigan State's Jalen Watts-Jackson's hands.
Watts-Jackson sprinted 38-yards for the game-winning touchdown as the clock expired.
The 110,740 crowd in Michigan Stadium became so quiet fans sitting in the top deck of of the arena could hear Michigan State players cheering on the field.
Social media erupted, with venomous comments and death threats directed at the Australian.
"Most hated man in the world right now @blakewoneill," tweeted @Jaylen_02.
"@blakewoneill quit the team," said @anthonytavano18.
"@blakewoneill What were you thinking dude. Might go down as the worst play in College Football History," posted @TheRealCamSand.
There were also messages of support, including ProKick Australia's Nathan Chapman, who helped transform O'Neill into a punter, telling him on Twitter: "You know we got your back".
Plenty of others got behind O'Neill.
"I'm still sick to my stomach for that punter...Blake O'Neill wasn't trying to fail...hoping people have a bit of compassion for him," tweeted college football TV analyst Joel Klatt.
"Hate tweets sent to Blake O'Neill are a disgrace. Ignore them Blake! @blakewoneill True M fans know you are a star. Mistakes happen.@GoBlue," posted @genebsperling.
The Wolverines were ranked No.12 nationally before the game while Michigan State, ranked seventh, are set to break into the top five.
O'Neill was having a great game until the horror play, punting seven times including an Aussie rules style on the run kick that went 80 yards and just inside the end zone.
Watts-Jackson's night also didn't end well.
His jubilant team-mates dived on him in the end zone and, in the process, dislocated his hip and he left the field on a medical cart.
