The critical video-replay overrule from Georgia Tech’s win over Georgia Southern received the ACC’s backing. ACC football officiating coordinator Doug Rhoads stood behind the replay official’s call late in Saturday’s game that reversed the on-field ruling of an incomplete pass by Georgia Southern quarterback Favian Upshaw and determined it to be a lateral and fumble that was recovered by Tech.

The play gave the Yellow Jackets the ball with 4:12 remaining at their 28-yard line, setting up their game-winning touchdown drive in their 42-38 win.

Rhoads reviewed the play, along with many others from the week’s games, and stated that the replay official made the right call in overruling the call on the field, according to the conference office.

Former NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira, now a rules analyst for Fox Sports, was critical of the call in a video on the Fox website, saying “there’s not enough indisputable video evidence to (overturn the call), and you need that in replay. You can’t get away from that concept.”

After his game video review, Tech coach Paul Johnson saw it differently, not surprisingly.

“I think it went backwards,” Johnson said.

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Former Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Norman Arey died Oct. 11, 2025 at the age of 84. In addition to sports writing, Arey also co-wrote the popular "Peach Buzz" society column. (Courtesy of the Arey family)

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