Photo from Google Images
The University of Tennessee vs. Purdue in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, TN was a roller coaster of emotions the entire game. Tied 45-45 at the end of regulation sent the game to overtime where the biggest blown call cost the Vols the victory.
The Vols got the ball first in OT and eventually made it down to the Purdue 1-yard line. On fourth-and-goal from the 1, Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright was ruled short of the end zone as a result of his ‘forward progress’ being stopped, but Wright extended his arm and reached over the goal line with the ball.
Tennessee was denied a TD after this play was ruled a turnover on downs: pic.twitter.com/ma8Gs9wZzM
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 31, 2021
The whistle blew after the ball crossed the plane and forward progress rulings can’t be reviewed. The call resulted in a Tennessee turnover on downs. WHAT THE ACTUAL BLEEP?
Every camera angle I have seen shows Wright breaking the plane while NOT being down by contact and with the whistle being blown AFTER the ball crossed the goal line. Touch Down 101. Tennessee was robbed! ROBBED!
This wasn’t just “a blown call”. This blown call cost the University of Tennessee the dang ball game. The ACC refs were a sheer embarrassment to college football. It was no secret they had a game plan that involved the University of Tennessee NOT winning.
How do you explain Tennessee being called for 14 penalties for 128 yards compared to Purdue’s 5 penalties for 61 yards? And still, Tennessee only lost by three points? The refs gave Purdue so many chances to win, not just the horrible “forward progress” call. The state of Tennessee should never allow those officials to cross the Tennessee borders ever again. This isn’t the first time the Vols have been screwed in the Music City Bowl either. The Vols should never accept a Music City Bowl invitation again. No other college team will pack Nissan Stadium with almost 70,000 fans (90% were Tennessee fans).
This season started as a pure mess. With a new coaching staff and more kids in the transfer portal than on the roster. No one expected Josh Heupel to come in and have the Vols compete in every single game. The amount of “injuries” Tennessee caused all season has to lead the country. (If you are new, no one is celebrating real injuries. These “injuries” were players faking them for their own advantage.) You know it’s bad when the officials even say these faking injuries have to stop.
Tennessee deserved better than some ACC refs bull shit. This team already was screwed by “forward progress” calls during the Ole Miss loss and an egregious spot call in the Pittsburg game this year. The 7-6 Vols could easily be 10-3 if officials simply did their job. No team has suffered more from horrible officiating that the University of Tennessee.
While I’m stilling singing the blues about the bowl game loss, I’m looking forward to next season. This team has a heck of a coach and a lot to build on from year one. 2022 starts September 3rd against Ball State.
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