The SEC made a massive move this week by suspending official Ken Williamson indefinitely after a series of controversial calls in Auburn's 20-10 loss to Georgia earlier this month.
While the conference has not released a statement on Williamson's punishment, the news has spread through credible sources, including former head of officials Terry McAuley, who has created a whirlwind on Twitter.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, ESPN analyst and College GameDay co-host Kirk Herbstreit discussed the Williamson situation.
“I think that this is groundbreaking,” Herbstreit said. “Can you guys remember anything like this? Where a guy, in the middle of a season, is asked to take a seat? I’ve never heard of anything like this. You talk about holding players and coaches and everybody accountable, but referees have never really had to deal with that. Maybe in the offseason, but not in season. I think it’s an eye opener, and I’m a pro-referee guy, but I’m interested to see where this leads to.”
The first controversial call in the Tigers-Bulldogs matchup came right before halftime. Leading 10-0 with the ball on the one-yard line, Jackson Arnold took a quarterback sneak, seemingly crossing the goal line for an Auburn touchdown. Georgia thought they had caused a fumble, recovered it and tried to return it for a touchdown themselves.
On replay review, it was clear that Arnold had crossed the goal line with the ball, but the officials called it a fumble, giving the ball to the Bulldogs.
In the second half, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was seen sprinting toward an official on the sidelines, trying to get a timeout. When the play was blown dead, Smart argued that he was clapping his hands, not signaling for a timeout. Somehow, the referees bought it and didn't charge Georgia a timeout.