SEC explains controversial reversed pass interference call in Georgia-Texas
SEC officials offered an explanation for the flip-flop on a defensive pass interference call in the second half of Georgia’s win over Texas, saying the official who identified the original call erred in a statement released early on Sunday morning.
“The game officials gathered to discuss the play, which is permitted to ensure the proper penalty is enforced, at which time the calling official reported that he erred, and a foul should not have been called for defensive pass interference. Consequently, Texas was awarded the ball at the Texas 9 yard line. While the original evaluation and assessment of the penalty was not properly executed, it is unacceptable to have debris thrown on the field at any time,” The statement said, in part.
It added that the conference will continue to review the debris throwing and consider punishments under the SEC’s sportsmanship policies.
“The disruption of the game due to debris being thrown onto the field will be reviewed by the Conference office related to SEC sportsmanship policies and procedures,” the statement concluded.
Shortly after the game, an agitated Kirby Smart said in his postgame press conference that the head referee, Matt Loeffler, told him the penalty was originally announced on the incorrect player and was supposed to be offensive pass interference against Georgia. No penalty was ultimately called on the play.
And after it was announced that the call was defensive pass interference against Texas, fans expressed their ire and threw debris on the field, mostly bottles and cans.
Smart more than intimated that the league set a precedent for fans to disrupt games to get a called swayed.
“Now you’ve set a precedent that if you throw a bunch of stuff on the field and endanger athletes, that you got a chance to get your call reversed,” Smart said. “And that’s unfortunate, because to me, that’s dangerous.”
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The call came with Georgia in possession late in the third quarter, as quarterback Carson Beck targeted wideout Arian Smith down the left sideline. Smith had made contact and turned inside while defender Jahdae Barron held his ground. There was contact from both parties, and the bail sailed into Barron’s arms before he returned it inside the 10.
But a flag was down: Defensive pass interference on Barron.
The call immediately drew the ire of Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and the approval of Smart. Fans hurled debris on the field.
And then, after a lengthy discussion — in part allowed by the delay cause by fans throwing debris on the field — the roles were reversed as the SEC officials announced there was, actually, no penalty on the play.
Shortly after, Texas scored a touchdown to cut the lead to one score.
But Smart, starting his postgame crusade before he even got to a podium, called out the situation during his postgame interview on ABC, evident of further complaints to come for the SEC and the officials.
“You know, these players get the best out of me. And I’m so proud of these guys. Because nobody believed. Nobody gave us a chance. Your whole network doubted us. Nobody believed us. And then they try to rob us, with calls, in this place and these guys are so resilient,” Smart said.