SEC Explains Controversial Overturned Pass Interference Call in Texans’ Loss to Georgia

The Securities and Exchange Commission issued a clarification Saturday night regarding the controversial overturned pass interference call in No. 5 Georgia’s 30-15 win over No. 1 Texas. The office maintained that its officials followed the correct procedure for snapping the flag and left open the possibility of a fine against the Texans for… Fans throw trash into the stadium.

Late in the third quarter, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was picked off by Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron, who returned the interception inside the Georgia 10-yard line. However, a flag was dropped to penalize Barron for pass interference despite the fact that receiver Arian Smith appeared to initiate the contact.

Many Texas fans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium expressed their displeasure by throwing bottles and trash onto the field, disrupting play. During the stop, officials met and decided to cancel the penalty after further study. The play was a huge swing of the game and allowed Texas to score its second touchdown of the game, putting Georgia up by one score.

“Although the original assessment and penalty assessment were not carried out correctly, it is unacceptable for debris to be thrown onto the field at any time,” the statement read in part. “The disruption of the game due to debris being thrown onto the field will be reviewed by the conference office regarding the SEC’s sportsmanship policies and procedures.”

After the game, Georgia coach Kirby Smart was angry about the decision to overturn the call. Pass interference is not reviewable, so the only way to change the call is for the officials to meet and make the decision themselves.

“They tried to rob us with calls at this place,” Smart said on the channel. broadcast. “These guys are very resilient.”

In the end, Georgia was able to put together its own touchdown drive to pull away and pick up the win over No. 1 Texas in Austin. The Bulldogs moved to 6-1 and took the key tiebreaker against the Longhorns heading into the stretch round.

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte, university president Jay Hartzell and Kevin Eltiff, chairman of the University of Texas Board of Trustees, Issue a statement Sunday criticizes the actions of the fans.

“While we deeply appreciate the passion and loyalty of our UT Austin fan base, we do not condone the unsportsmanlike behavior displayed by some individuals who threw objects on the field during last night’s game and we deeply apologize to UT Austin.” Georgia players, coaches and fans, as well as Southeastern’s staff and administrative staff, will not be tolerated.

The situation echoes a similar event during Tennessee’s 2021 game against Ole Miss when Vols fans threw trash — including a mustard bottle — onto the field at Neyland Stadium in protest. It was Tennessee He was fined $250,000 For an accident that caused a 20-minute delay. The situation in Texas was brought under control much more quickly, which may help the university avoid major penalties.

Below is the full statement from the Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission:

“With 3:12 left to play in the third quarter of Georgia’s game at Texas, Texas intercepted a pass on the Texas 46-yard line and returned it to the Texas 9-yard line. Texas was flagged for defensive pass interference on the play. This resulted in Georgia holding the ball First landing.

The game officials met to discuss the play, which was allowed to ensure the appropriate penalty was taken, at which time the referee informed the caller that he had fouled, and a foul should not be called for defensive pass interference. Consequently, Texas got the ball on the Texas 9-yard line.

While the original evaluation and penalty assessment were not carried out correctly, it is unacceptable to throw debris onto the field at any time.

The disruption of the game due to debris being thrown onto the field will be reviewed by the conference office in connection with the SEC’s sportsmanship policies and procedures.”