Jeff HauserSat, November 22, 2025 at 11:09 PM UTC·1 min readSEC officials draw backlash from NFL referee for missed calls originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
SEC officials faced sharp criticism Saturday during the first half of No. 22 Missouri’s matchup with No. 8 Oklahoma.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA flurry of penalties and slow reviews frustrated the masses. This isn't the first time for the conference and had shades of the Georgia-Auburn matchup earlier this season.
The opening half featured 10 penalties — five on each team, contributing to no rhythm in a key SEC contest. Former NFL referee Terry McAulay was among the most vocal critics, taking issue with what he described as the crew’s lack of control on social media.
“It seems the officials in Oklahoma/Missouri are uninterested in enforcing the rule that strictly prohibits coaches from entering the field to argue with or berate game officials,” McAulay wrote on X. He later questioned why the crew needed several minutes to review what he called an “obviously correct incomplete pass.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOklahoma fans also blasted the officiating, accusing the crew of being one-sided. “Today it’s Oklahoma vs. Missouri and the refs,” one fan posted.
Despite the frustration, Oklahoma defeated Missouri 17-6.
Both teams were scoreless in the fourth quarter. The Sooners keep their College Football Playoff hopes intact with one game remaining.
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