SEC: Refs right to overturn Texas PI call vs. Georgia
The Texas-Georgia game on Saturday night kept the SEC busy on Sunday.
Not only did the league penalize Texas for fans throwing debris on the field after a controversial call during the game, the conference also said the officials did the right thing by reversing the call.
With 3:11 left in the third quarter and his team leading 23-8, Georgia’s Carson Beck was picked off by Jahdae Barron, who returned it to the Georgia 45. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and fans were in disbelief when officials called Barron for pass interference.
Fans started pelting the field with trash, forcing Texas officials to clean the field, and Sarkisian walked over to the student section to plead for it to stop.
Moments later, the officials reversed the call on the field to give Texas the football.
Two plays later, Quinn Ewers hit Jaydon Blue for a 17-yard touchdown to cut the deficit 23-15.
“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,” the statement read.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.