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The Music City Bowl between Tennessee and Purdue didn’t end without some drama in overtime between the two schools who were looking to end their seasons on a high note.
The Volunteers and Boilermakers went into overtime with the score tied 45 apiece, and one of the controversial moments came while Tennessee was going for a touchdown on 4th-and-goal instead of kicking a field goal.
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Tennessee defensive back Theo Jackson (26) sits on the field after Purdue kicked a field goal in overtime to win the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. Purdue won 48-45. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright was called upon to punch the ball into the end zone. While it appeared he had extended his arm across the plane to give Tennessee the lead, the officials blew the play dead, appearing to signal Wright was just short of the end zone. It didn’t appear his progress was stopped.
Tennessee was shocked.
"I thought we scored, but you know it's a tough call," Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker said. "Feels like me and my teammates gave it our all."
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel reacts to the ruling that the Purdue defense stopped Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright short of the goal line in overtime of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. Purdue kicked a field goal to win in overtime 48-45. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
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Tennessee coach Josh Heupel also tried to explain what the referees told him about the play.
"They said the forward progress had been stopped. Sounded like the whistle blew after he extended the football," Heupel said, via 247 Sports.
College football fans watching the game believed Tennessee got jobbed.
Purdue kicker Mitchel Fineran would win the game with a 39-yard field goal on the next possession to give Purdue the 48-45 win. Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell had 534 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in the win.
"It’s why you love the game, it’s why it keeps bringing you back. The fact it’s unknown. No one knows what’s going to happen. It’s not a movie or TV show where the actors get retries. It seems like the world’s watching and anything could happen," O’Connell said.
Purdue players celebrate with their trophy after beating Tennessee in overtime to win the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
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Purdue finishes the season 9-4 with the win – the best record it's had since 2007 when it finished 8-5 with a Motor City Bowl win. Tennessee dropped to 7-6.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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