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The SEC has pulled referee Ken Williamson off the field for the remainder of the season after his crew’s controversial performance in Georgia’s 20-10 win over Auburn on October 11, according to ESPN. Williamson served as crew chief for a game that featured several calls that left Auburn fans fuming.
When CBS Sports’ John Talty reached out for comment, the conference stonewalled with their standard line that they “does not comment on personnel matters.” While Williamson was absent from last week’s officiating assignments, the rest of his crew worked games — but they won’t be seeing any more SEC action this season either.
The officiating became the story in a game that should’ve been about the players.
Controversial Calls Change Game’s Momentum
With Auburn leading 10-0 late in the first half, Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold appeared to score a touchdown before losing the football at the goal line. Officials on the field called it a fumble, and despite replay angles that seemed to clearly show Arnold breaking the plane with possession, the call somehow stood after review.
After further review the call stands and it’s a fumble! Georgia ball. pic.twitter.com/xnZX7dCAFW
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) October 12, 2025
The controversy didn’t end there. In the fourth quarter with Georgia clinging to a slim 13-10 lead, Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart ran toward the side judge making what clearly looked like a timeout signal. After officials stopped play, Smart claimed he wasn’t calling timeout at all — he was actually trying to alert officials that Auburn defenders were clapping to trick Georgia’s offense into false starts.
Broadcast replays showed Smart making the universal timeout gesture, but officials let Georgia keep their timeout anyway. The Bulldogs would go on to score on that possession, essentially sealing the game.
While Auburn coach Hugh Freeze and quarterback Arnold both took the high road in post-game comments — avoiding blaming officials for the loss — the seven-point swing from the goal line fumble call dramatically altered the game’s trajectory. Instead of potentially leading 17-0, Auburn found themselves in a dogfight they ultimately couldn’t win.
This suspension marks a rare public disciplinary action by the SEC against its officiating crews, suggesting the conference recognized the significant impact these calls had on a crucial divisional matchup.
