ESPN
Tennessee Volunteers punter Jackson Ross hits an onside kick against the Texas Longhorns on Sept. 26, 2026.
The Tennessee Volunteers fell just short of a comeback victory in their upset bid against the top-ranked Texas Longhorns on Saturday afternoon at Neyland Stadium.
But as it turns out, the ending of the game should not have been nearly as close as it wound up being.
The Volunteers scored a touchdown with 1:22 remaining in the fourth quarter to cut the Texas lead to 20-17, before Vols’ punter Jackson Ross executed a perfect onside kick to help his team regain possession.
This Tennessee onside kick was FILTHY: 😳 pic.twitter.com/ezJJHG177a
— College Sports Only (@CSOonX) September 26, 2026
The unique, dropkick-style onside kick was unlike anything that fans had ever seen before, and immediately left them wondering why everyone does attempt to use the same style of kick.
As it turns out, the answer is that the style of kick that Ross used was actually illegal on multiple counts. Former NFL referee turned rules analyst Terry McAulay explained exactly why the kick violated the rules.
This is illegal on a kickoff. The ball must be kicked on the restraining line, the 35 yard line here.
There is an exception for safety kicks, but not a kickoff. https://t.co/uIgR9jrYVL pic.twitter.com/wMyPQjLNK5
— Terry McAulay (@tjmcaulay) September 26, 2026
McAulay cited a rule that states that the team taking the free kick – in this instance, Tennessee – must do so from some point on that team’s restraining line. In this instance, the restraining line would be the 35-yard line. Except Ross took the kick while in motion, at the 34-yard line.
Additionally, McAulay clarified that the kick taker may not move laterally, as Ross did, after the ready for play.
So Ross and the Vols got away with not one, but two violations of the onside kick rule.
Ultimately, the play did not matter, as Texas was able to get the stop it needed to keep Tennessee from kicking a game-tying field goal or scoring a game-winning touchdown. But it’s a bit concerning that none of the SEC officials knew the rules.