"Enraging" officiating for Kirby Smart's Georgia should revolutionize college football referees forever, says Josh Pate

The then-No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs won a Southeastern Conference showdown at the then-No. 1 Texas Longhorns on Saturday. However, Bulldogs fans were upset with the officials' reversal of a pass interference call against Texas in the third quarter that led to the Longhorns scoring seven points.

On the "Josh Pete College Football Show" on Sunday, Pate said he believes that changes are needed to hold officials accountable.

"There are high stakes on this stuff, too," Pate said. "That's why the folks doing it ought to be full-time employees and have to answer for it."

Pate said that if a coach or a player makes a mistake, they should be made to answer to the media after the game. However, many times, conferences provide explanations days later. Pate also said that the officials during the Bulldogs-Longhorns game were influenced to change their decision due to the Texas fans' reaction to the call.

"You are kidding yourself if you don't think the climate in that building had anything to do with them overturning that call last night," Pate said. "It was embarrassing to watch. It had to be just enraging for the administration at Georgia. For the team at Georgia. For the coaching staff."

Fans threw bottles on the field while the officials decided whether to overturn the pass interference. After the ruling went in favor of the Longhorns, fans cheered the call to the frustration of Smart on the sidelines. The Bulldogs coach argued with officials as they stood their ground after overturning their original ruling.

Georgia Bulldogs overcome officials' ruling to defeat Texas Longhorns

The Bulldogs remained in control of the game and scored seven points in the fourth quarter. Georgia running back Trevor Etienne had a rushing touchdown, and kicker Peyton Woodring hit a field goal to give the team 30 points. Texas was unable to score again, as the Bulldogs' defense prevented the Longhorns from gaining momentum for the rest of the game.

Georgia (6-1, 4-1 SEC) moved to second in the AP Poll, while Texas (6-1, 2-1) dropped to fifth. Smart's team will have an open week in Week 9. The Bulldogs' next game will be on the road against the Florida Gators (4-3, 2-2) at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on Nov. 2.