Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images
Tennessee watched a double-digit lead evaporate late in Saturday’s 34-20 loss to Alabama. Josh Heupel didn’t seem pleased with the referees afterward.
While the Volunteers got called for eight penalties, the Crimson Tide received just one false start flag. During the post-game press conference, a reporter asked Heupel if he considered the officiating “a bit one-sided.”
Heupel paused for nearly 15 seconds, repeatedly tapping the podium before deciding to avoid a fine.
“Next question, yeah,” Heupel said. “Was that a long enough silence?”
Josh Heupel on the officiating pic.twitter.com/uBibBAYJl2
— zach ragan (@zachtnt) October 21, 2023
Those penalties included a costly defensive holding call on third-and-long that gave Alabama a fresh set of downs early in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide capitalized by scoring a field goal.
It’s not a new problem for Tennessee, which has gotten called for an SEC-high 56 penalties in seven games. Those violations have resulted in 470 penalty yards.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to blame officiating for getting outscored 27-0 in the second half.
Heupel’s team went into the break up 13, but they allowed Alabama to drive 75 yards in two passing plays to start the third quarter. Tennessee’s second-half drives consisted of three punts, two turnovers on downs, and a fumble for an Alabama touchdown.
Tennessee nearly knocked off its SEC rival for the second straight season. Instead, Nick Saban’s team lit up victory cigars at Tuscaloosa.
“We just weren’t good enough,” Heupel said of Tennessee’s second half. “Me, our coaches to our players, got to be able to play for 60 minutes against good football teams on the road. So [I’m] extremely disappointed with the outcome.”
While Alabama preserved its slim title hopes, the Volunteers dropped to 5-2 with their second conference loss. They’ll look to bounce back at Kentucky next Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.