Josh Heupel shares officials explanation of forward progress call

Josh Heupel’s first season at the helm of the Tennessee Volunteers was going well up until Thursday. The Volunteers went 7-5 in the regular season, an improvement from last year’s 3-7 performance under Jeremy Pruitt. But that strong start ended on a sour note, as Tennessee was upset by Purdue — in front of almost entirely Tennessee fans filling the Nissan Stadium stands — in the Music City Bowl.

What’s worse for Tennessee is how it ended. Upon first glance of the box score, it would appear that Tennessee had it’s way with the Boilermakers: Hendon Hooker completed 26 of 41 passes for 378 yards and five touchdowns, but in an shootout, the Volunteers and Boilermakers went to overtime tied at 45 apiece. That’s when Heupel and Tennessee felt like the program was robbed.

Tennesseee got the ball first to start overtime, and Heupel took an aggressive approach, going for it on fourth down twice on the drive. The first try, Tennessee converted. And on the second try — this time, on fourth-and-1, needing just inches to score a go-ahead overtime touchdown — Tennessee opted to go for it, handing the ball to running back Jabari Small at off the right side. As he fought past defenders, his leg appeared to rest on top of a Purdue defender as he pushed his way beyond the goal line. However, the referee ruled that forward progress has stopped prior to the push into the endzone. After the game, Heupel explained what the referees told him transpired.

“Yeah, he said the forward progress had been stopped. I don’t know,” Heupel said. “Sounded like the whistle blew after he extended the football.”

Heupel was visibly agitated on the sidelines, yelling at the referees for a play he felt was stripped from Tennessee’s hands. The ball certainly looked to have extended past the goal line; however, on a play that’s stopped for forward progress, the referees are not able to go to video review. Furthermore, the time at which the whistle blew — much to the disappointment of Heupel — does not affect the call.

“I’m disappointed in the outcome,” Heupel said. “Disappointed for everyone inside of the locker room tonigt. They left everything out on the field. Disappointed in the result, but man, the journey has been unbelievable. When we took over this program 11 months ago, where it was and who and where it is today are two completely different — I’m just proud of these guys. They’ve come so far. And a special thanks to our seniors that stayed, that fought, that competed, that bought in, that led and showed what the spirit of a Volunteer is for our young men. … So proud of them . But disappointed for them and disappointed for our fans. The passion of our fanbase is just — it’s surpassed anything in college football. They are all fire.”

Josh Heupel shares stunning conversation with officials at Music City Bowl

Following his team’s overtime loss to Purdue in the Music City Bowl, Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel shared an interesting conversation he had with officials.

The Volunteers head man said that referees told him they wanted a rule change in regards to fake injuries. This came after Tennessee fans booed Boilermakers defensive lineman Lawrence Johnson for supposedly feigning injury after he went down multiple times in the second half.

“You know what’s crazy it the officials wanted that tonight,” Heupel said. “They came up and said that to me. Yeah, they think there needs to be a rule change.”

As the fans booed Johnson’s first apparent injury, CBS Sports analyst Jerry Palm called out the fans for their skepticism, saying “Purdue does not have enough guys to be faking injuries.” However, when Johnson pointed to the sideline trying to communicate something and went to a knee again a few minutes later, the boos got louder.