Tennessee punter Jackson Ross converted a drop kick with one minute, 22 seconds remaining during the fourth quarter in a, 20-17, loss to No. 1 Texas (4-0, 1-0 SEC) in Week 4 at Neyland Stadium.
On Monday, the SEC released a statement regarding the Vols' onside kick against Texas. The league announced the play was incorrectly officiated.
"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 announced. "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’s movement after the ready signal violated the rule. The correct enforcement is a five-yard penalty and a replay of the down. The Southeastern Conference regrets the error and will continue working with the Secretary/Editor for NCAA Football Rules and officials to ensure consistent application of free-kick rules."
Statement on onside kick in Texas at Tennessee game:#SECFB pic.twitter.com/GEbjZON1yO
— SEC Officiating (@SECOfficiating) September 28, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: SEC releases statement on Tennessee-Texas onside kick
