WATCH: Alabama interception erased by pass interference, Tennessee ties game

Alabama saw a potential game-sealing interception erased by a pass interference call late, leading to a game-tying touchdown. Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry caught the tipped pass in the end zone and ran away with it, appearing to give the Crimson Tide possession of the ball with a seven-point lead and over three minutes left in the game.

Instead, Alabama was flagged for pass interference and Tennessee moved down the field and retained possession. The very next play, Hendon Hooker connected with Jalin Hyatt for his fifth receiving touchdown of the game and tied it at 49-49.

Alabama DPI pic.twitter.com/liRmBz3C8n

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 15, 2022

The play immediately drew criticism from Alabama fans as it appeared to be incidental contact, but the officials believed that the call was warranted as the defender’s hands grabbed the shoulders of the receiver before the ball arrived.

Adding to the controversy, Tennessee fans were in a similar position earlier in the game. Bryce Young threw a pass into the end zone that was broken up by Tennessee’s De’Shawn Rucker. But officials threw a flag for defensive pass interference, which put Alabama at the two-yard line. The pass interference call led to a touchdown run by Alabama to take a 35-34 lead at that point of the game.

Fans got to see former Heisman-winner Bryce Young come up huge for Alabama as he helped them jump out to a lead in the second half. With the game tied at 42-42, Alabama picked up a fumbled handoff by Hendon Hooker and scored a defensive touchdown to take a seven-point lead.

With the game tied at 49-49, Tennessee’s fans had to watch as Alabama threatened to end the game with a field goal of their own — only for Will Reichard’s kick attempt to go wide right and give Tennessee the ball back with good field position and little time remaining. Hooker brought his team down into field goal range quickly and McGrath delivered the win with a 40-yard make.