In a rare and dramatic turn of events, veteran SEC referee Jason Autrey released an official statement Monday morning apologizing to South Carolina Gamecocks fans, players, and coaches for what he called “critical errors in judgment” during Saturday night’s 44-41 loss to No. 12 Texas A&M. The game, played at Williams-Brice Stadium, ended in chaos after a series of highly disputed calls in the final minutes, most notably a pass interference no-call on fourth down that would have given South Carolina a fresh set of downs inside the Aggies’ 30-yard line with under two minutes remaining.
Autrey’s statement, distributed through the SEC officiating office, read in part: “After reviewing the film extensively, I deeply regret the decisions made on several pivotal plays. Those calls fell short of the standard expected in our conference and unfairly impacted the outcome of an incredible contest. I offer my sincerest apologies to the University of South Carolina, its team, and especially its passionate fans.” The referee, in his 18th season, has never before issued a public apology of this magnitude.
Despite the mea culpa, fury in Columbia has not subsided. Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer, visibly emotional in his post-game press conference Saturday, declined to comment directly on Autrey’s apology Monday but reiterated that “the integrity of the game was compromised.” Social media platforms exploded overnight with #FireAutrey trending nationwide and former South Carolina players, including Jadeveon Clowney and Stephon Gilmore, publicly calling the officiating “an embarrassment to college football.”
The situation escalated further when South Carolina Athletic Director Jeremiah Donati announced Monday afternoon that the university has formally filed a complaint with the NCAA and SEC offices requesting a full investigation into the officiating crew’s performance. Sources close to the athletic department say Donati cited “multiple egregious errors that systematically disadvantaged one team” and is pushing for unprecedented sanctions against Autrey and the crew.
Multiple reports now indicate that Jason Autrey has been indefinitely suspended by the SEC pending the outcome of the investigation, with league sources telling ESPN that the 52-year-old official could face permanent removal from the conference’s officiating roster. This would mark one of the harshest penalties ever handed down to an on-field official in college football history.
As South Carolina fans continue to demand accountability and Texas A&M prepares for a potential College Football Playoff run, the fallout from Saturday’s game has evolved from controversy to a full-blown crisis for SEC officiating. Whether Autrey’s apology and suspension will satisfy an enraged fanbase or simply fuel calls for broader reform in college football’s referee accountability system remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the events of November 15, 2025, will be remembered as a watershed moment in SEC history.
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