Bryan Harsin comments on controversial ending against South Carolina

After falling to South Carolina 21-17, Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin commented on the officials’ decision to rule the Gamecocks punt a fumble by Auburn. With just over two minutes remaining in the game, South Carolina punted the ball back to Auburn.

The ruling on the field was that the ball was not touched by any Auburn players despite coming close to returner Jaylin Simpson. The officials reviewed the play and overturned the call, allowing South Carolina to end the game with their four-point lead.

Bryan Harsin on controversial finish with South Carolina

With just 2:11 remaining in the game, South Carolina’s Kai Kroeger punted a 36-yard kick in the direction of Auburn’s Jaylin Simpson. Originally, officials ruled the ball came close to Simpson’s thigh, but it did not hit him. After reviewing the play, they overturned the call, effectively ending the game.

“I don’t know that he touched it,” Harsin commented after the game via AL.com’s Tom Green. “That’s really what it comes down to. I didn’t see that on the field… They didn’t call it on the field. They turned it over and decided it touched him.”

The controversy stems from the lack of clear evidence that Simpson actually touched the football. Typically, to overturn a ruling on the field the officials need to feel there is sufficient and clear proof that the ruling was incorrect. The referees for Saturday’s game felt there was such proof, but replays and still images remain unclear for Auburn fans and anyone who disagreed with the call.

This view is getting the people going pic.twitter.com/cTZOCdSQX4

— Michael Lananna (@mlananna) November 21, 2021

As Harsin pointed out, he was one of many that didn’t see the ball touch Simpson. He claimed the officials made the decision themselves.

South Carolina ran out the clock after the play, held on to win 21-17, and notched their third conference win of the season. In total, it was South Carolina’s sixth win of the year under first-year head coach Shane Beamer, meaning they are eligible for the postseason for the first time since 2018.

Auburn fell to 6-5, and they end their season at Jordan-Hare Stadium against Alabama. The Crimson Tide got a very close 42-35 win at home against Arkansas on Saturday.

On3’s Ashton Pollard contributed to this article.