Report: Longtime ACC ref quits due to replay frustration

Field Level Media|published: Fri 12th September, 21:36 2025

Oct 8, 2022; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Referee Gary Patterson reviews a call on the field during the game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Virginia Cavaliers during the third quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Upset over how a replay review was handled in last Saturday's UConn-Syracuse game, Atlantic Coast Conference referee Gary Patterson resigned, ESPN reported on Friday.

An ACC official since 2002, Patterson quit after he served as the head referee of the matchup, a 27-20 overtime win for host Syracuse.

Patterson was slated to referee the Pitt-West Virginia matchup this Saturday, but the ACC said on Friday that Patterson's crew has been adjusted after his departure.

Late in the first half with UConn ahead 14-3, Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli had his arm hit as he threw the ball on a first-down play at the Huskes' 25-yard line. The ball went forward and landed on the turf, and the officiating crew ruled an incomplete pass.

On second down, Angeli's throw was nearly intercepted, leading to a third-and-10 with 53 seconds left in the half. But Patterson got on the head set after a flag was thrown, announcing that "replay had buzzed in prior to the previous play" after communicating with the ACC command center.

Per the report, several camera angles showed no indication that any on-field official had been buzzed by the replay before the second-down play. A spokesperson for the conference said officials were buzzed from the booth to start a review and added that the ACC internally addressed the situation.

The first-down play was then reviewed to see if Angeli fumbled, but the call of an incomplete pass was upheld.

Per ESPN, officials for UConn and Syracuse were informed that the referee had "not heard" the initial request from the booth before the ball was snapped on second down.

According to the report, the directive to initiate a review came from the ACC command center.

Patterson, who did not respond to ESPN's requests for comment, was apparently bothered by the ACC forcing a replay after the next play of the drive.

Syracuse recovered to kick a field goal as time expired, going 61 yards on its next seven plays before rallying in the second half.

--Field Level Media

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