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Tennessee football: Fan outrage vs. Ole Miss was culmination of these events

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers tight end Jacob Warren (87) is tackled by Mississippi Rebels defensive back Otis Reese (3) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers tight end Jacob Warren (87) is tackled by Mississippi Rebels defensive back Otis Reese (3) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee Offensive Lineman Cade Mays during Media Day in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.Kns Tennessee Football Media Day
Tennessee Offensive Lineman Cade Mays during Media Day in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.Kns Tennessee Football Media Day /

4. Cade Mays injured on play blown dead to review first bad spot

On Tennessee football’s first drive, a series of unfortunate events led to an injury. Honestly, one of these things wouldn’t have been blamed on the officials, but the way they all happened in order are what made it so bad.

It started with a four-yard pass on 3rd and 5 from Hendon Hooker to Velus Jones Jr. that was spotted a foot short of the Vols’ own 35-yard line, which they needed to get a first down. The spot was probably a bad spotted and should have been a first down. However, missing that would be understandable, as it was close.

Well, the Vols were set to go for it and snapped the ball on 4th and 1. They would’ve gotten the first down anyway. Right after the snap, though, the refs blew the play dead to review the previous spot. Even though they got the call on the field wrong, there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn it, so they blew a first down run on 4th and 1 dead for nothing.

To make matters worse, Cade Mays got hurt on that dead ball play and he missed the rest of the game. That proved costly. Heupel, with that injury, decided to punt on 4th and 1. So all the refs had to do was either get the call on the field right, choose not to review the play or make the decision before a play was run, and UT would’ve gotten the first down and had Mays in the lineup.

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