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SEC explains controversial calls in Tennessee loss to Ole Miss that led to trash thrown on field

The SEC office responded, albeit briefly, to a Knox News request for an explanation on two questionable calls that went against Tennessee football in its 31-26 loss to Ole Miss Saturday night.

Frustration over the calls by officials brought some UT fans to their boiling point. That didn’t give them the right to throw trash on the field, but that's what happened in the final minute of the game.

In the first quarter, UT’s Tyler Baron returned Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral’s fumble 42 yards for a touchdown. But it was ruled that Corral’s forward progress was stopped, and coach Josh Heupel said he was told by officials that it was a non-reviewable play.

"The officials huddled after the play and determined that forward progress had been stopped. Therefore, there was no fumble on the play," the SEC statement said Sunday. "It is not uncommon for officials that are not certain in real time of the status of a loose ball to let a play finish before gathering together to compare notes to correctly officiate the play."

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel (facing camera) and Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin meet at midfield after their game at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel (facing camera) and Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin meet at midfield after their game at Neyland Stadium.

And with 54 seconds remaining, UT tight end Jacob Warren was ruled down inches shy of the first down. The spot of the ball was upheld by official video review, and then trash was thrown onto the field in protest.

"The play was reviewed and replay determined the call on the field was correct," the SEC statement said.

Heupel said "the spot was the decision they came to and the chains were being moved,

and I didn’t get an explanation on it.”

Follow Adam Sparks on Twitter @AdamSparks.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: SEC explains calls in Tennessee-Ole Miss game where trash was thrown