Sources - ACC ref quits over handling of Syracuse-UConn review - ESPN

After an awkwardly handled replay late in the first half of last weekend's game between Syracuse and UConn, a longtime ACC official has quit his post over frustration with the way the review was handled, sources told ESPN on Friday.

Gary Patterson, who served as the head referee for Saturday's matchup between the Orange and Huskies and has worked as an official with the ACC since 2002, abruptly terminated his contract with the conference after the game.

The ACC confirmed Patterson's departure from the conference's roster of officials Friday but said adjustments to officiating crews have already been made and that there will be no disruption to league officiating. Patterson had been scheduled to referee Saturday's game between Pitt and West Virginia.

The sequence that led to Patterson's departure began with 1:02 remaining in the half and UConn leading 14-3. Syracuse opened a drive at the Huskies' 25-yard line, and on first down, quarterback Steve Angeli dropped back to pass. His arm was hit as he threw, and the ball went forward about 8 yards, landing on the turf.

The officials immediately ruled the pass incomplete. Syracuse then snapped the ball again with 58 seconds left on the clock, though about 25 seconds of real time passed between plays. The second-down throw was nearly intercepted before two UConn players collided and the pass fell incomplete, bringing up a third-and-10 with 53 seconds to go.

A flag was thrown after the play, however, and Patterson could be seen talking on his headset to the ACC's command center for nearly 90 seconds before announcing that «replay had buzzed in prior to the previous play.»

Sources who have reviewed numerous camera angles of the sequence said there was no physical indication by any