Referee Ken Williamson has been suspended by the SEC for the remainder of the 2025 season after a number of controversial rulings in Georgia’s 20-10 win over Auburn on Oct. 11, per ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and Pete Thamel.Williamson was the crew chief during the contest.Per ESPN’s report, Williamson had told SEC officials before the season that he planned to retire at the end of the 2025 campaign.Two main calls caused controversy during Oct. 11’s high-profile matchup.The first came late in the first half, when Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold attempted to score a touchdown on a quarterback sneak near the goal line, only to have the ball punched away and the fumble recovered by Georgia. The official stopped the clock in the fourth-quarter after Georgia head coach Kirby Smart appeared signal for a playout. It appeared the ball crossed the plane prior to being thrown. Smart claimed that he had only been clapping to alert the official to the fact that Auburn players were copying Georgia’s signals by clapping. If true, it would have been a penalty.”Go lipread, because they’re clapping!” Smart told the reporters afterward. “They’re clapping. I didn’t want a timeout, because we would finish the game before the shot clock. It was [two seconds, one second…]. We’re getting it done before the play clock ends, and I didn’t need a break. It was because they were clapping. I wanted him call it, because it is a penalty.”Perhaps. However, the replay showed Smart using a two-handed “T”, which is a gesture used to signal a timeout. Additionally, Williamson missed a targeting penalty against Auburn’s Kayin Lee in the second quarter, though replay assist saw the helmet-to-helmet contact and the cornerback was ultimately ejected.
2025-10-24 00:33:09
SEC Reportedly Suspends Referee After Controversial Calls in Georgia’s Win vs. Auburn
