SEC suspends referee in aftermath of controversial calls in Georgia vs. Auburn game
The SEC suspended referee Ken Williamson for the remainder of the season following his team’s performance in Georgia’s win over Auburn on Oct. 11, ESPN reports. Williamson was the team leader for that game, a 20-10 win for the Bulldogs that featured a number of questionable calls.
CBS Sports’ John Talty reached out to the league for comment, but was told the SEC “does not comment on personnel matters.” CBS Sports can confirm that Williamson did not officiate last week, but the rest of his team did – and will not officiate another game for the remainder of the league season.
Williamson and his team took center stage for all the wrong reasons during the Auburn vs. Georgia game. Late in the first half, with Auburn leading 10–0, quarterback Jackson Arnold appeared to score before the ball was knocked out of his hands at the goal line. However, officials ruled it a fumble on the field, and the call was upheld despite the replay appearing to show Arnold breaking the plane with possession.
In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs led 13-10 when Kirby Smart rushed toward the side judge and appeared to call a timeout. Once the clock went off, Smart argued he was telling his official that Auburn defenders were clapping in an attempt to create a false start for the offense. The replay showed Smart making what looked like a timeout signal with his hands, but he and the Bulldogs were still allowed to keep the timeout.
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze and Arnold both downplayed the controversial calls’ effect on the game, but the seven-point swing was an obvious turning point in the contest.
