San Diego State's quarterback accidentally hit a referee in the face with a football while throwing it away

College football is officially back, and a referee learned that the hard way during a Saturday evening game between San Diego State and Ohio.

While trying to throw away the football and avoid intentional grounding, San Diego State senior quarterback Jalen Mayden accidentally fired off a pass that nailed a poor official right in the face.

Yes, a referee got hit in the face by a football, and it looked like it hurt like all get out.

Getting smacked right in the face with a football being thrown by a Division 1 quarterback has to be one of the worst feelings to experience on the football field, and this referee should get next week off after this brutal moment.

Ouch

The ref just got hit directly in the face by the ball pic.twitter.com/lCTFN2sM3j

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 26, 2023

In the process of throwing the ball away, San Diego State quarterback Jalen Mayden nails an official right in the face. pic.twitter.com/AnkOE6i63o

— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 26, 2023

After the hit, the poor referee in question got checked on at midfield.

We really hope this referee is alright and is able to shake this moment off quickly because that did not look like fun on the game view.

At least he’ll have a story for the ages to share with everyone he knows when this game is over.