All eyes are on Prime Time during primetime. Georgia Tech and Colorado are kicking off their seasons against each other in a power conference matchup in Week 1.
So far, it’s been a sloppy showing by both teams and the referees, and it didn’t take all that long for the college football community to take aim at the controversial calls in the first half.
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The officiating in the season opener for Colorado and Georgia Tech has been suspect. The play that caught the attention of the college football world was a run by Colorado, where RB Damian Henderson II was stripped by Georgia Tech and ran back for a GT touchdown.
But the refs blew the whistle before Georgia Tech readied an extra-point attempt; they took the touchdown back and gave Colorado the ball back, where it had the ball due to forward progress being called.
“I still can’t believe the officials ruled that the forward progress was stopped for Colorado, and they couldn’t review the play because of that. That call negated a scoop-and-score for Georgia Tech!” said Chris Beasmore, a Kentucky writer.
I still can’t believe the officials ruled that the forward-progress was stopped for Colorado and they couldn’t review the play because of that. 🤯
That call negated a scoop-and-score for Georgia Tech! pic.twitter.com/FsXHVH0rCq
— Chris Beasmore (@CBeasmoreSports) September 4, 2026
There weren’t many happy campers in the college football world after this call, except Colorado fans who escaped a touchdown going against them.
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“Refs openly cheating for Colorado at levels I have never seen in my life,” said one Miami writer.
“That is a flat-out disgusting whistle in the Colorado and Georgia Tech game. That should be a scoop and score for the Yellow Jackets,” said a Texas Tech podcaster.
That is a flat out disgusting whistle in the Colorado and Georgia Tech game
That should be a scope and score for the Yellow Jackets
— RC Maxfield (@RCMB323) September 4, 2026
It’s the first week of the season, and fans are already disappointed in the standards of the refereeing. However, they could be in for a long season if they are upset already, and it’s not even Friday of Week 1 yet.
“That’s one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen in the GT/Colorado game,” said one fan.
“Referees literally just stole a touchdown from Georgia Tech. One of the biggest botches I have ever seen. Disgraceful,” another fan added.
Referees literally just stole a touchdown from Georgia Tech. One of the biggest botches I have ever seen. Disgraceful.
— Mikey V. (@beardowncuz) September 4, 2026
The touchdown was so close to standing with the Georgia Tech kicking team on the field waiting to snap the football.
They weren’t safe from the college football fans, though, after kicker Aidan Birr missed a 35-yard field goal in the first half.
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“They can’t even kick an extra point in Colorado GT without shenanigans. GT punter and kicker acting like [expletive] tonight along with these refs,” said one fan.
It’s been chaos down in Georgia. Fumbles, sloppy play, poor refereeing, and missed kicks have all been part of the story in just the first half.
Quarterbacks Julian Lewis and Alberto Mendoza have been far from perfect, but have looked solid in moments. Deion Sanders and Colorado are itching for a big win after another poor season under Sanders, but Brent Key’s Yellow Jackets are proving to be no easy task as expected.
Georgia Tech holds a slim halftime lead, but whoever can avoid mistakes and play a clean second half should go on to win the season opener for their team.
