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Refs criticized for questionable calls late in Georgia-Georgia Tech game

Spenser Davis

By Spenser Davis

Published:

Georgia won an absolute thriller 44-42 in 8 overtimes against Georgia Tech on Friday night in Athens.

The result puts UGA at 10-2 on the season and likely clinches a berth in the College Football Playoff for the Bulldogs regardless of what happens in next week’s SEC Championship Game against either Texas or Texas A&M.

However, the officiating was a major part of the story of this game. Multiple high-leverage calls appeared to go in Georgia’s favor, particularly in the second half.

In the final 5 minutes, Georgia was trailing by 14 points when it faced a 4th and goal. Carson Beck’s pass fell incomplete, but officials called pass interference on the play. Here’s a look:

On Georgia Tech’s ensuing possession, UGA forced a fumble by quarterback Haynes King and recovered. King sustained a helmet-to-helmet hit on the play, but targeting was not reviewed.

Here’s a look at the hit on King:

Georgia ended up sending the game to overtime roughly a minute after recovering King’s fumble, and the rest is history.

There were a handful of other calls (or non-calls) that drew criticism from fans and media as well. Here’s some of the reaction to the officiating in this game:

Spenser Davis

Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.

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