Longtime ACC referee Gary Patterson resigns after disputed replay review in Syracuse-UConn game
Patterson abruptly terminated his conference contract following an unusual replay sequence late in the first half that involved the ACC command center, sources say
Gary Patterson, a veteran Atlantic Coast Conference referee who had worked in the league since 2002, abruptly resigned after a disputed replay review late in the first half of Syracuse’s 27-20 victory over UConn, multiple sources told ESPN.
The sequence that prompted Patterson’s decision unfolded with 1:02 remaining in the first half. Syracuse began a drive on UConn’s 25-yard line and on the first play quarterback Steve Angeli’s arm was hit as he threw, producing a short pass that was ruled incomplete. About 25 seconds of game time elapsed before the next snap. The second-down throw nearly resulted in an interception but fell incomplete after two UConn defenders collided, setting up third-and-10. A flag was thrown following that play, but officials then communicated with the ACC command center and Patterson spent an extended period on his headset before announcing over the Carrier Dome public address system that "replay had buzzed in before the previous play."
An ACC spokesperson said the matter is being handled internally and that officials were buzzed to initiate a review, but acknowledged the timing between plays made the replay process imperfect. On review, officials examined whether Angeli had fumbled on the first play and ultimately upheld the on-field ruling. Patterson stated on the field that the second-down play had been negated and "the next play never occurred."
ESPN rules analyst Bill LeMonnier said the episode was uncharacteristic of normal replay procedures, noting that it is generally the referee’s discretion to stop a play if the buzzer sounds. He also pointed out that the flag after the second-down play appeared to be for a personal foul that should have been addressed even if the play was dead. "The mistakes were completely created by either the replay booth or the command center," LeMonnier said. "It’s not the fault of the officials on the field."
Two sources told ESPN that the directive to initiate the review came from the ACC command center and that Patterson was upset by what he perceived as interference after the subsequent play had already been run. Those sources said that frustration led to his decision to terminate his contract with the conference following the game. The ACC confirmed Patterson’s removal from the list of conference officials on Friday and said his position has already been filled, with no disruption to league officiating. Patterson had been scheduled to work Saturday’s game between Pitt and West Virginia.
For some games this season the ACC has allowed the conference command center greater access to the replay process, but league officials said the Syracuse-UConn game was not among those selected contests. The ACC spokesperson reiterated that the matter is being addressed internally and declined to provide additional comment.
Patterson, who had been an on-field official in the ACC for more than two decades, served as the head referee for the Syracuse-UConn game. The Orange took a 27-20 victory over the Huskies in the matchup that produced the contested replay sequence.
Officials and conference replay operations have faced increased scrutiny in recent seasons as leagues experiment with centralized command centers intended to improve consistency in reviews. The ACC’s use of a command center this season has been selective, and the conference said its procedures and communications with on-field officials remain subject to ongoing review.
Patterson’s abrupt departure leaves the ACC with a veteran official vacancy that the conference said has already been filled. The conference did not provide details on the official who will take his place. Sources emphasized the resignation stemmed from Patterson’s objection to how the replay was handled rather than from any single ruling on the field.
The incident is likely to prompt further internal review of the conference’s replay procedures and the role of the command center in communicating reviews to on-field officials. The ACC said it will continue to evaluate its replay processes but provided no immediate timetable for any procedural changes.