The Tennessee Volunteers knocked off Vanderbilt in overtime when Eric Gordon picked off quarterback Jordan Rodgers and returned the interception for a touchdown. The play was reviewed, as it looked like Gordon's knee was down on the play. After the review, the play was upheld. According to an official statement from Steve Shaw, SEC Coordinator of Officials however, the play should have never been reviewed in the first place.
VIDEO: Tennessee Interception Call Costs Vanderbilt In Overtime
“On the last play of the Vanderbilt-Tennessee game, in overtime, the Tennessee defender intercepted the pass, his knee did not touch the ground and he returned the interception for a touchdown. During the play, the head linesman incorrectly ruled that the Tennessee player’s knee was down when he intercepted the pass by blowing his whistle and giving the dead ball signal. The play was reviewed as if there was no whistle on the field and as a result, overturned the incorrect ruling. By rule, if there was a whistle blown, the play is not reviewable.”
If you watch the video, you can plainly hear the officials blow their whistles, signaling the play dead. While Vanderbilt wouldn’t have necessarily won the game, as the Vols would have gotten their standard overtime possession and only need a field goal to win, the erroneous call clearly cost Vanderbilt even a chance at another possession.
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