‘That call at that moment seemed unusual’ – Not enough people are talking about the biggest call that robbed Tennessee of the win against South Carolina
The Tennessee Volunteers were on the wrong side of some tough calls in their loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
There’s been plenty of discussion about the penalties that were called on Tennessee during the Volunteers’ 27-24 loss to South Carolina.
Three touchdowns were wiped off the board due to penalties — one of which was a questionable holding call on Vols left tackle David Sanders Jr.
Former Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler says Vols fans shouldn’t blame the officiating for the loss.
And while I tend to agree with him, there’s one call that I just can’t get past.
The holding call on wide receiver Radarious Jackson late in the fourth quarter, which erased a big gain by running back Javin Gordon, was one of the most ticky tack calls you’ll see in an end of game situation.
Gordon’s run would’ve put the Vols close to field goal range with 40 seconds and one time out remaining.
Instead, the Vols’ next snap was on their own 38 yard line and quarterback George MacIntyre fumbled after he was hit by South Carolina defensive lineman Dylan Stewart.
It’s fair to say that the holding call on Jackson changed the outcome of the game. It’s also fair to say that it was an odd time for the officials to make that call.
“I think the significant penalty that was called was on the Gordon run,” said Voice of the Vols Mike Keith on 104.5 The Zone’s 3HL. “Because that puts the ball roughly at the South Carolina 45. And then suddenly South Carolina’s defense has to strike a very [different] defensive posture because they’re playing against the field goal at that point, and so they’re probably just trying to make a play to get out of there. That was big, and that call at that moment seemed unusual.”
Look, South Carolina fans can say there was a little tug on the jersey from Jackson — though there aren’t any good angles that show an egregious hold — but if those fans are honest with themselves, they’ll admit that’s a call that is not usually made in that spot in any level of football.
This loss is going to haunt Tennessee fans for a long time. The Vols were clearly the better team and it would’ve been a heck of a win, but ill-timed penalties and a couple of costly mistakes handed the Gamecocks a gift wrapped win they didn’t deserve.
