Tennessee came close to pulling off the upset against No. 1 on Saturday.
Despite trailing the Texas Longhorns
for nearly the entire game, the Volunteers recovered an onside kick late to earn a shot at a game-winning touchdown before Faizon Brandon's threw an unsuccessful Hail Mary in the end zone, securing a Texas win. Still, it was a valiant comeback effort in a game that appeared to be over at points in the fourth quarter.And none of it should have happened.
On Monday, the SEC confirmed what many rule-wise fans suspected on Saturday: The onside kick that gave Tennessee a shot to win was illegal.
College football rules dictate onside kicks must be attempted from the 35-yard line. Dropkicks like the one the Vols attempted are permitted, but because
the ball was kicked from a yard shy of the 35, it should have resulted in a penalty and a replay of the down.
"The onside kick with 1:22 to play in the Texas at Tennessee football game on Saturday was incorrectly officiated and should have resulted in a five-yard penalty on Tennessee and a replay of the down," the SEC statement said. "A drop kick is permissible, but a free kick must be made from the kicking team's restraining line which is the 35-yard line on a kickoff, unless relocated by penalty.
"The ball was at least one yard behind the 35-yard line when it was kicked. In addition, after the ball is ready for play the kicker may not change his lateral position between the hash marks. That spot can change only after a charged timeout or on a subsequent kick. The kicker movement after the ready signal violated the rule. The correct enforcement is a five-yard penalty and a replay of the down."
Statement on onside kick in Texas at Tennessee game:#SECFB pic.twitter.com/GEbjZON1yO
— SEC Officiating (@SECOfficiating) September 28, 2026
Things could have gotten quite controversial were Tennessee to have scored on its final drive, but Texas held on anyway to earn a 20-17 victory and stay unbeaten.
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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: SEC issues statement about illegal onside kick in Tennessee-Texas
