With 1:22 left, Tennessee recovered an onside kick against Texas but failed to score. Rules analyst Terry McAulay said Jackson Ross kicked it illegally from behind the 35-yard line; officials initially flagged the play, then picked up the flag.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said he wanted a ruling on the unusual drop kick. Officials picked up the flag without explanation, and McAulay said the safety-kick exception does not apply to a kickoff.
Tennessee had another chance after Texas was penalized for a face mask on a sack on third-and-19, but Faizon Brandon’s end-zone pass as time expired was broken up by safety Jelani McDonald.
