Josh Heupel reacts to controversial offensive pass interference against Chris Brazzell

With three minutes remaining in the third quarter of Tennessee‘s showdown against Mississippi State on Saturday, Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar found wide receiver Chris Brazzell II for a 59-yard touchdown pass to retake the lead. However, the jaw-dropping play was called back for offensive pass interference on Brazzell.

Fans immediately criticized the controversial call online. Their frustration only worsened when the Volunteers were forced to punt on the drive and continue trailing Mississippi State 24-20.

Thankfully for Tennessee, the play didn’t cost the Volunteers the game and they fought back to secure a 41-34 victory. After the game, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel kept it short when asked about the penalty.

“They didn’t say anything to me,” Heupel said. “That’ll be an interesting play to go and watch.”

Although Brazzell could’ve had another 59 yards and a touchdown in the game if he hadn’t been called for offensive pass interference, he still had an excellent outing. Brazzell finished the contest with six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.

The redshirt junior has been fantastic this season. In five games, he’s amassed 31 catches for 531 yards and seven touchdowns, tied for the most in college football. Additionally, Brazzell’s 106.2 receiving yards per game are the fifth-most in the country.

Chris Brazzell transferred to Tennessee ahead of the 2024 season after spending two seasons at Tulane. Tennessee certainly needed every bit of Brazzell’s experience on Saturday.

With two minutes left in the game, the Volunteers scored to force overtime, where they eventually won. After the triumph, Joey Aguilar raved about his team’s resiliency.

“It just shows that this team, we stick together no matter what,” Aguilar said. “Defense got highs, offense got highs. Defense got lows, offense got lows. But we bounce energy within each other. Offense goes out there, not so good, defense goes out there, gets a stop, get offense back rolling.

“Then, vice versa, defense, something happens, offense goes out there and executes. But it just shows how connected this team is and that we just keep fighting.” 

Tennessee won’t be able to sit back and rest on its laurels. The team has three more ranked opponents ahead on its schedule.

After their bye this week, the Volunteers will square off against Arkansas on Oct. 11. The game will be at home for Tennessee in Neyland Stadium.