Saturday's biggest college football game featured a near-comeback by Tennessee that was aided by an officiating error.

The SEC admitted today that the onside kick Tennessee recovered late in the loss to No. 1 Texas should have been called back because Tennessee's kicker illegally stood behind the restraining line when he drop kicked it.

"The onside kick with 1:22 to play in the Texas at Tennessee football game on Saturday was incorrectly officiated and should have resulted in a five-yard penalty on Tennessee and a replay of the down.

"A drop kick is permissible, but a free kick must be made from the kicking team's restraining line which is the 35-yard line on a kickoff, unless relocated by penalty. The ball was at least one yard behind the 35-yard line when it was kicked.

"In addition, after the ball is ready for play the kicker may not change his lateral position between the hash marks. That spot can change only after a charged timeout or on a subsequent kick. The kicker's movement after the ready signal violated the rule.

"The correct enforcement is a five-yard penalty and a replay of the down. The Southeastern Conference regrets the error and will continue working with the Secretary/Editor for NCAA Football Rules and officials to ensure consistent application of free-kick rules."

After the officiating blunder, Texas stopped Tennessee and hung on to win 20-17. But if Tennessee had scored a game-winning touchdown after the officiating error, it would have supplanted Michigan's Hail Mary win over Western Michigan as this season's biggest officiating controversy. The SEC officials botched the call, and then Texas's defense bailed them out.

Source: Yahoo Sports