WATCH: Controversial decision from South Carolina game has Tennessee fans up in arms
Tennessee players were convinced after the loss to South Carolina that a would-be fumble by South Carolina whistled dead by officials was, in fact, a fumble. Now fans have taken up the cause on the controversial play.
Defenders Shy Tuttle and Darrin Kirkland told reporters clearly and without question that Tennessee caused a fumble of Ty’Son Williams, and could have returned it for a 99-yard touchdown. Instead, the Gamecocks were credited with the touchdown with five seconds left in the third quarter.
It tied the game at 24, as South Carolina went on to win 27-24 as the Gamecocks outscored the Vols 18-10 in the second half.
Fans were irate during and after the game as the play was not only missed, but not reviewed. Because the play was blown dead, a review was not possible. Some fans even tried to reach out to the SEC office for help in reversing the call.
Here is a sampling of some of the reaction:
Wow, Tennessee recovered that fumble at the goal line. Awful day for SEC refs. How do you blow that call? That’s an eight point error.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 28, 2018
The thing that I hate is that Tennessee won that game the referees gave them two touchdowns one on a juggled catch another after a lost fumble! It does not have a clear winner when such important calls are missed. Horrible results.
— Phillip Bible (@phillipbible53) October 28, 2018
It’s funny….The one time Tennessee wasn’t awarded a fumble (that may or may not have occurred) cost the team the game but the two times they didn’t convert on 4th and even turned down a field goal opp. Had no bearing on the outcome. #FanLogic #Gamecocks #Volunteers
— Robbie G. ™ (@RobJob76) October 28, 2018
I don’t care who you are. That was a fumble on the goal line and Tennessee got screwed.
Again.
— JGW (@jwilber05) October 28, 2018
Don't want to hear any Carolina fan talking about officials the rest of the year after they were gifted a goal line TD that should've been a fumble recovered by Tennessee and wasn't even reviewed.
— Josh Hadden (@CoachJoshHadden) October 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Cbrowninktown/status/1056366550205300736
What a garbage non review on the fumble from South Carolina and then top it off with a side of a garbage defensive pass interference call to aid another SC score. TN, as usual, gets jobbed.
— Desi Lee (@dezlee81) October 28, 2018
@SEC you cost TN the game with the missed fumble that gave South Carolina the tying score. You have review. Use it!!
— Todd Seaton (@ToddSeaton) October 28, 2018
@SEC Hey, I am wondering if you are watching the Tennessee/South Carolina game? There was a clear fumble at the one yard line, a fumble that was recovered by Tennessee, yet no review was initiated. Now, it's a tie game. We have dealt with losing for ten seasons, get it right.
— Andrew Buckner (@TheBradleyAg) October 28, 2018
Did South Carolina get away with one here? Oh boy pic.twitter.com/Oq1aKZU8aR
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) October 28, 2018
Yep, Tennessee definitely got hosed on that non fumble call. Wow, that’s crazy pic.twitter.com/77dradO9HH
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) October 28, 2018