BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — No. 17 Tennessee’s successful onside kick against top-ranked Texas was incorrectly officiated, according to the Southeastern Conference.
The kick with 1:22 left on Saturday should have been flagged for a five-yard penalty and the down replayed because the ball was not kicked from the 35-yard line, the conference said in a statement on Monday. The ball also should not have been moved once was it was deemed ready for play by the officials.
The onside kick came after Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon threw a 30-yard TD pass to Mike Matthews to pull the Vols within three at 20-17. Tennessee punter Jackson Ross pulled off the onside kick by faking right and drop-kicking it to the left…