SEC slaps Texas with stiff fine for debris-slinging episode

The 2024 college football season has featured fabulous storylines (e.g., undefeated service academy teams) and tremendous, dramatic performances (e.g., Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty shattering rushing records). However, it has also been marred by dubious officiating. All of these attributes coalesced on Saturday evening when the Texas Longhorns hosted the Georgia Bulldogs at Darrell K. Royal (DKR) Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, before a record-setting crowd of 105,215.

The stakes were high in a highly anticipated clash between two top-five teams loaded with NFL talent. Possible berths in the SEC Championship Game and 12-team CFP field were on the line.

Although the Bulldogs jumped out to a 23-0 lead, which they took into the locker room at halftime, the Longhorns began clawing their way back, narrowing the lead to 23-8 early in the third quarter and setting the stage for controversy and drama later in the quarter.

When Georgia quarterback Carson Beck threw a pass intended for wide receiver Arian Smith, Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron deftly stepped in front of Smith, picked off the pass and returned the ball deep into Texas territory. 

While the partisan Longhorns crowd erupted in delirium, the referees called defensive pass interference on Barron. Most neutral observers viewed the call as erroneous, and the DKR crowd lost its collective mind when it was announced.