Not much went right for the Vanderbilt Commodores in a 37-7 season-opening loss at home to Temple Thursday night. Even Vandy’s all-black “Anchor Down” uniforms cost the team a second quarter timeout.

Then the timeout was re-awarded to the Commodores after it was deemed the uniforms were acceptable after all.

But then it was decided once again the uniforms were not kosher and that the penalty should have been enforced as originally intended.

By the end of the night it was clear the uniforms played no impact on the result of the game. But in a college football world growing more and more invested in stylish unis, it is important teams throughout the SEC and the nation know what they’re allowed to wear and what is forbidden.

As a result, Chuck Dunlap clarified the uniform fiasco Friday morning on behalf of the SEC office in Birmingham:

“A miscommunication resulted in Vanderbilt wearing jerseys during its football game Thursday night that are not permissible under the NCAA football uniform regulations,” Dunlap said in a statement to the SEC’s media. “Before production of the jerseys, Vanderbilt sought approval of the jersey design from the NCAA, which included the words “Anchor Down” on the back panel.  The NCAA responded with written approval of the design as presented and Vanderbilt proceeded with the jersey production, assuming the approval was applicable to the slogan as well as the colors and overall design in the submitted layout.

“NCAA football regulations do not permit the use of slogans on jerseys,” Dunlap continued. “Vanderbilt was originally penalized for the jerseys during the game and after being shown the written correspondence, the head referee also interpreted the correspondence to mean the slogan had been approved. Vanderbilt has been notified it cannot wear the slogan on its jersey for future games and has agreed to comply.”

So the rule is exactly as we thought it was: no slogans are permitted on the backs of jerseys; only school names and team mascots are allowed. Last night’s referees simply missed the call.