The SEC said Tennessee’s onside kick against Texas with 1:22 left Saturday was incorrectly officiated: the ball was kicked from behind the 35-yard line and the kicker moved after the ready signal, requiring a five-yard penalty and replay.
The conference said a kickoff must be made from the kicking team’s 35-yard restraining line, unless a penalty moves it, and the kicker cannot change lateral position between the hash marks after the ready-for-play signal. The SEC said it regrets the error and will work with NCAA football rules officials on consistent application.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel pushed back, saying other SEC teams had used the kick and his team had discussed it with officials before the game. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said he had addressed the matter with the SEC and its head of officials and had nothing more to add.
