Tennessee Vols' Josh Heupel has a subtle but strong response to question about controversial flag in loss to Georgia
Saturday between the hedges wasn't the Tennessee Vols' night, falling 31-17 to the Georgia Bulldogs. It was a forgettable performance on both sides of the ball, but – for the first time this season – particularly on the defensive side. Tennessee's vaunted defensive front was stymied by Georgia's offensive line, and UT defensive coordinator Tim […]
Saturday between the hedges wasn't the Tennessee Vols' night, falling 31-17 to the Georgia Bulldogs.
It was a forgettable performance on both sides of the ball, but – for the first time this season – particularly on the defensive side. Tennessee's vaunted defensive front was stymied by Georgia's offensive line, and UT defensive coordinator Tim Banks had no answers for how to dial up pressure on Carson Beck, who threw for 347 yards and 2 touchdowns.
However, there were a number of close calls that went Georgia's way that left not just Tennessee fans, but also head coach Josh Heupel frustrated during the game. One in particular was evident by Heupel's reaction after the game.
Asked about a facemask penalty thrown against the Vols on Georgia's first drive of the second half on 2nd and 24, Heupel expressed his frustration with the call without saying much at all.
"Yeah, what did it look like," Heupel asked the reporter who asked him for his thoughts on the play. When the reporter made a comment about it looking like the helmet popped off, Heupel slid the microphone in the reporter's direction while he was repeating that comment, clearly wanting that explanation to be highlighted.
Smart play by Heupel. Get the explanation out there without saying it yourself and getting fined.
On 2nd and 24, Beck threw a pass to Georgia's Nitro Tuggle, who rumbled for 16 yards. Rickey Gibson, III grabbed him by the helmet, which came off. There was no angle on several replays that showed anyone grasping or pulling Tuggle's facemask.
The call was one of several that went against Tennessee, including what appeared to be a potential catch and fumble by Georgia TE Oscar Delp that was summarily ruled incomplete and not reviewed (while a Squirrel White catch near the ground was reviewed and overturned). Delp also appeared to possibly not maintain control near the sideline on another grab, but that wasn't even looked at either.
The officials did take the time to throw a flag on replay for a 12 men on the field penalty after Tennessee's Jaxson Moi was late in getting off the field, a review/penalty that's rarely done. It felt at times as though Tennessee was fighting a battle against not just the team in red, but the individuals in black and white stripes as well.
As such, Heupel's frustration with the officiating is certainly understandable. However, there's a line he's not allowed to cross, and he just managed to avoid that. He also managed to speak volumes about a seemingly terrible call without saying much at all, something his wallet will thank him for next week.
