Tennessee Vols came dangerously close to a penalty that could've altered the outcome of game against Alabama
It was probably missed by most college football fans, but the Tennessee Vols came dangerously close to a costly penalty late in the fourth quarter that could've altered the outcome of their 24-17 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide. With less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Alabama wide receiver Kendrick Law was […]
It was probably missed by most college football fans, but the Tennessee Vols came dangerously close to a costly penalty late in the fourth quarter that could've altered the outcome of their 24-17 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
With less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Alabama wide receiver Kendrick Law was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that put the Crimson Tide in a fourth-and-22 situation. Alabama went for it on fourth down and turned the ball over on downs to Tennessee. The Vols added a field goal before ending the game on Alabama's next possession (via a Will Brooks interception).
At the same time that Law was being flagged for shoving Vols defensive back Boo Carter in the head, Tennessee defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott nearly kicked the football in clear view of the official.
You can see Norman-Lott just barely missing the football below.
Maybe Norman-Lott knew what he was doing and had no intentions of kicking the football. But either way, he came very close to kicking that football, which likely would've resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty (or a delay of game at worst). If he connects on the kick, it could've offset Law's penalty and Alabama would've had a fourth-and-7 situation — which is obviously much easier to convert than fourth-and-22.
Fortunately for the Vols, Norman-Lott missed and no flag was thrown. But that play is a reminder that an unwise penalty or two can easily impact the outcome of a game.
