During Kentucky’s 28-18 loss to Tennessee, Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops shared concerns regarding a first-quarter incident involving Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff and Tennessee defensive lineman Omar Norman-Lott. Stoops noted on an SEC coaches teleconference that while the play didn’t affect the game’s outcome, it was unsettling. Vandagriff scrambled out of bounds on a QB run, and Norman-Lott, trying to stop him from running further, extended his hands, unintentionally causing Vandagriff to stumble and fall. Although Vandagriff wasn’t hurt, the action appeared rougher than intended, with Vandagriff’s head snapping back as he fell.
Stoops emphasized that the situation, while not malicious, didn’t look great visually. The incident underscores the intense and physical nature of SEC play, where sideline plays can sometimes lead to unexpected contact.
No flag was thrown on the play involving Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff and Tennessee’s Omar Norman-Lott, a decision that didn’t sit well with Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops. Stoops felt the incident warranted more scrutiny and escalated his complaint within the SEC’s officiating chain. Stoops seemed concerned not just with the physical contact but also with the missed opportunity to address player safety in moments like these. While Stoops acknowledged the play was not overly aggressive, the optics raised questions about the need for consistency in officiating.
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Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops expressed his frustration over the incident involving Tennessee’s Omar Norman-Lott and Wildcats quarterback Brock Vandagriff, which did not draw a flag. During an SEC coaches teleconference, Stoops mentioned he had reported the play to the SEC office, although he couldn’t share details of their response. Stoops emphasized that “there is no place for anybody striking anybody in the head,” highlighting the increased emphasis on player safety, especially for quarterbacks. Stoops felt the situation could have been handled differently given the league’s focus on protecting players from head impacts.
SEC Network broadcasters Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers were also surprised by the officiating decision to not throw a flag on the play involving Omar Norman-Lott and Brock Vandagriff. After reviewing the replay, Hart remarked that the officials made a “big miss,” with Rodgers agreeing and noting that the action was more than incidental contact. Rodgers pointed out that Norman-Lott’s hands were intentionally extended, which warranted a penalty in his view.
