Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel gave a strong reaction to a question regarding the officiating that had occurred during the Vols’ loss to Alabama on Saturday evening in Tuscaloosa. That strong reaction, though, was silence.
After being asked if he felt like the officiating was “one-sided” during the game against Alabama, Heupel let 14 full seconds pass.
“Next question,” Heupel replied. “Yeah, was that long enough silence?”
The clip of Heupel’s answer began to circulate on social media to the tune of more than one million views after being posted by Mike Bratton. One of the million-plus people who saw the clip was former Tennessee head coach and current Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who also once wore orange during a postgame press conference after a loss in Tuscaloosa.
Kiffin looked to have the back of his fellow SEC coach.
“I love this reaction!!” Kiffin said in a tweet. “Been in that same press conference in Orange in that same stadium. I know that feeling. @Vol_Football”
I love this reaction !! Been in that same press conference in Orange in that same staduim. I know that feeling. @Vol_Football https://t.co/uOfYJwnaOM
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) October 22, 2023
More from RTI: Five Critical Moments: Tennessee Blows A Golden Opportunity At Alabama
Kiffin, of course, is pointing back to the 12-10 loss that his Volunteers suffered at the hands of Alabama on October 24, 2009.
Down 12-3 with less than two minutes on the clock, Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Jones to make it a two-point game with time winding down. Tennessee wide receiver Denarius Moore went on to recover an onside kick to give the ball back to the Vols, which was followed by a 23-yard pass to Luke Stocker to set up Tennessee in field goal range.
The Vols lined up for the game-winning 44-yard attempt with four seconds remaining. The kick, though, was blocked by Terrence Cody as Kiffin’s Vols left the field with a loss.
Tennessee was penalized eight times for 55 yards during Saturday’s loss to Alabama under Josh Heupel. Alabama, meanwhile, was only flagged one time for an illegal snap in the third quarter. While the officiating was not the difference maker during Alabama’s 27-0 run in the second half, it didn’t help anything that Tennessee was trying to do to recapture the momentum that had quickly slipped through their fingers in the third quarter.
Some of the calls were unquestionably questionable. Clips have circulated social media showing multiple holding calls that likely could have been called during the game. At the same time, though, Tennessee can’t afford situations such as back-to-back offside penalties like they did in the third quarter.
One way or another, it certainly looks as though former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin is able to empathize with Heupel’s frustration coming out of Tuscaloosa with The Big Orange.
No. 21 Tennessee will look to rebound this weekend with another road contest against Kentucky in Lexington.
2 Responses
Why don’t they ever call holding on Alabama first TD pass they threw early third quarter Tennessee left DE was tackled worst officials I have ever saw. Bunch 😳 embarrassing SEC. One penalty five yards. Tennessee DL held ever play. People watch on TV could c lot more than they did. Tennessee got royal home cooking on two of those 4th down plays. Two them first downs. Alabama not b play in the playoffs someone gonna get them . They got shot if they get that officiating crew each week.
Yeah that blown pass coverage on the touchdown after the half was the refs fault and the fumbled football that lead to another touchdown was the refs fault.. Tennessee just got gased and lost.. failing to convert a half yard on Fourth and 1 was clearly the refs fault.. Tennessee needs to play 4 quarters and fans need to stop crying..