SEC 'regrets' officiating errors during onside kick in Texas-Tennessee game

Remember the onside kick with 1 minute, 22 seconds left in Texas football‘s road game against Tennessee that took an interesting roll, slipped through Ryan Wingo‘s hands and gave Tennessee a chance to tie, or take the lead?

Well, the SEC issued a statement Monday morning regretting officiating mistakes. The play should have resulted in a 5-yard penalty and a replay of the down against the Volunteers. 

“The Southeastern Conference regrets the error and will continue working with the Secretary/Editor for NCAA Football Rules and officials to ensure consistent application of free-kick rules,” the release said. 

Dropkicks are allowed, but there are some rules that Tennessee did not abide by. The freekick must be made from “the kicking team’s restraining line,” the  35-yard line, on the kick unless it is relocated due to a penalty; the ball was kicked from the around the 34-yard line. 

Also, there was an issue with the kicker’s movement after the ready-to-play signal. According to the rule, after the ball ready for play, a kicker cannot change his lateral position between the hash marks on the field; only after a charged timeout or subsequent kick could they move.

“The kicker’s movement after the ready signal violated the rule,” the release stated.

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Jermaine Bishop Jr. (4) puts his “Horns Up’ as he runs off the field after Texas won their game against the Tennessee Volunteers 20-17 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, Sept. 26, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)

A yardage penalty and a replay of the down is the correct course of action if such penalty occurred. 

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian in the second quarter of Texas’ game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, Sept. 26, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)

Head coach Steve Sarkisian made a statement on the lack of a penalty during Monday’s news conference.

“I don’t really have much more to say on that. I’ve addressed it with the Southeastern Conference. I’ve addressed it with John McDaid, the head of our officials. They’ve addressed the issue, so I don’t think there’s much more to say on that,” he said. 

Texassafety Jelani McDonald broke up a Hail Mary pass to secure the Longhorns‘ 20-17 win to stay undefeated.