Kirby Smart calls Texas officiating controversy 'chaotic'

Texas fans littered the field inside DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium during the Longhorns 30-15 loss to Georgia over the weekend.

The Longhorns faithful were visibly upset after an interception by Texas was called back for defensive holding. Later controversially overturned, many have called out the officials for their decision during the Week 8 headliner.

From the officials taking a prolonged discussion during the incident, to the fans raining down trash onto the field, to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian telling those same fans to stop throwing litter onto the field — Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart summed up the incident after having a few days to reflect on it.

“[It was] just a different experience,” Smart told The Steakhouse. “You know, when you have a change and call that that long after the [original] call just makes it — you’re not used to it, that doesn’t happen. And that experience, like, that is a little bit chaotic, all together in the moment.”

The incident saw Longhorns defensive back Jahdae Barron intercepted a pass and returned it to the Georgia nine-yard line in what was a major momentum-swinging play. The play was called back for a defensive pass interference, much to the dismay of fans inside DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, who began littering the field with trash.

After the referees reconvened, they eventually reversed the call.

While it did appear that there was no defensive holding on the call, and the reversal was correct — making the decision so long after the play happened was what many on the Georgia side of the arguement have taken issue with. Smart said during the postgame that the officials tried to “rob” them with calls.

The interception set Texas up for a touchdown two plays later, cutting the lead to eight points after leading 23-0 at halftime. Georgia ended up holding on, but it was a moment that Smart and the rest of the Bulldogs won’t soon forget as they continue their march toward the College Football Playoff.