The Southeastern Conference has admitted officials made an error on Tennessee’s late onside kick against No.1 Texas, which the Volunteers recovered before holding on for a 20-17 win at Neyland Stadium.

The SEC announced on September 28 that the kick with 1:22 remaining was “incorrectly officiated.” Punter Jackson Ross drop-kicked the ball from the 34-yard line, but free kicks must come from the 35-yard restraining line. Ross also changed his lateral position between the hash marks after the ready signal, violating the rules.

The correct call would have been a 5-yard penalty on Tennessee and a replay of the down. Officials initially threw a flag on the play but then picked it up, allowing the recovery by Tennessee’s Arion Carter after the ball bounced off Texas receiver Ryan Wingo to stand.

“The Southeastern Conference regrets the error,” the league said in its statement. Texas’s comeback hopes effectively ended with the call.

The admission fuelled debate about officiating standards in marquee SEC matchups. Onside kicks are among the hardest plays to officiate in real time, but the rare public acknowledgement underscored how consequential the missed call was.