Jason Autrey: The SEC official’s questionable missed calls

Jason Autrey was the head official of the crew that officiated the 2023 Iron Bowl. While the game will go down in history as one of the greatest iron bowls ever, there was some highly questionable officiating during the contest. Here is a link explaining some crucial missed calls.

Looking at prior missed calls in SEC games

Beyond this contest, Autrey and his crew were the same ones that in 2020 called a Bo Nix spiked ball an incomplete pass against Arkansas. Earlier this season, Autrey missed a blatant offside call at a crucial moment of the LSU versus Missouri game.

The most notable contest besides this year’s Iron Bowl for Alabama fans that Autrey officiated was the Tennessee vs. Alabama game in Neyland Stadium in 2022. The more notable missed calls in that one were numerous targeting’s against Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, and the well-known Kool-Aid McKinstry pass interference call against Alabama’s Malachi Moore with four minutes left in the game. At the time of the contested ball, Alabama was up 49-42 and saw McKinstry intercept the pass to the Vols 20 yard line, only to have it called back for pass interference. This all but would’ve sealed the victory had the controversial call stood. The Vols went on to win the game 52-49.

Earlier in this same 2022 contest, Autry was announcing a Tennessee touchdown that was under review indeed standing as called and was seen pumping his fists after announcing the call to the crowd. To Alabama fans, this was a concerning moment, and the forementioned pass interference came a few hours later in that same night. The call on CBS can be seen here.

Autrey, the Okaloosa County Public Works Director, started his officiating career running a clock during middle school games, and ultimately ended up as a head official in the SEC with no experience at that level. His calls and non-calls can’t help but show. And the complaints keep piling up.

Inevitably, when you’re refereeing in the SEC, you’re going to be assigned to some big games. After all, the SEC is the conference that’s won 43 national championships, and has dominated since the mid-2000’s. With that being said, Autrey’s officiating is hopefully looked at more under the microscope than ever by the SEC so it doesn’t keep rearing its head.