The Music City Bowl between Purdue and Tennessee turned into a wild finish with plenty of controversy. Tied at 45 in overtime, Tennessee had a chance to take the lead with a field goal on fourth and goal but chose to go for the touchdown. The play looked like a clear score. The runner stretched the ball out before being brought down and the ball popped loose only after he crossed the plane. No one on Tennessee celebrated, though, and officials ruled that forward progress had been stopped. They didn’t bother reviewing the play and stuck with the call. Fans and Tennessee’s coach were furious.
Making things worse, earlier in the game Purdue scored on a similar play where forward progress could have been questioned, but that one was allowed to stand. Side-by-side replays showed both plays were pretty similar, if not identical. The inconsistency in officiating brought even more heat on the refs. Tennessee’s coach vented on the sideline but calmed down quickly, telling his team to move on and try to get a stop. They didn’t. Purdue kicked a field goal and won the game. Tennessee walked away feeling robbed.