ATHENS, Ga. − Josh Heupel offered a microphone to a reporter, silence and a "next question" response when asked about officiating in Tennessee football's loss on Saturday.

The Vols coach's answer − or lack thereof − followed a question about a facemask penalty on a third-quarter Georgia touchdown drive in a 31-17 setback for No. 7 Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC) to No. 12 Georgia (8-2, 6-2) at Sanford Stadium.

Knox News reporter Adam Sparks asked Heupel his thoughts on the personal foul on Vols cornerback Rickey Gibson III on a second-and-24 play. Heupel asked Sparks what he thought it looked like. Sparks stated it appeared Georgia wide receiver Nitro Tuggle's helmet popped off but Gibson's hand didn't touch the facemask. Heupel requested Sparks repeat that, which he did as Heupel turned the microphone toward the media.

Sparks followed up by asking if Heupel was given an explanation for the penalty at which point Heupel was silent before saying "next question."

“Do you want to ask about the 12 men on the field, too?” Heupel said in reference to another penalty on the same drive before turning the mic toward Sparks again.

What Josh Heupel said about penalties, officials in Tennessee's loss at Georgia

Tennessee was called for two penalties on Georgia's 12-play, 87-yard touchdown march in the third quarter. It took a 24-17 lead and did not trail again.

Heupel previously said "pretty big" when asked about Tennessee's penalties on the drive changing the momentum of the game.

Gibson was called for the facemask after a 16-yard completion from quarterback Carson Beck to Tuggle. The penalty combined with the completion made it a 31-yard gain, moving Georgia from its 15 to the 46 while Heupel was irate on the sideline.

The Vols were called for having 12 players on the field later on the drive. Linebacker Kalib Perry and defensive lineman Bryson Eason subbed in. Linebacker Jeremiah Telander ran off. Defensive lineman Jaxson Moi followed as an official stood over the ball. He jogged before breaking into a sprint when the sideline waved that the official had moved and Georgia was set to snap the ball.

“They subbed late," Moi said. "We were trying to get a player in, trying to force them to use a timeout. ... If anyone thinks it was out of pure laziness, that is not true.”

Heupel also was bothered by a defensive pass interference call on Jermod McCoy in the second quarter on a Beck pass that sailed out of bounds.

Tennessee was penalized nine times for 70 yards. Georgia was called for seven penalties for 59 yards.

Josh Heupel has been displeased with SEC officiating on the road before

Heupel was bothered by officiating in a pair of Tennessee road games in 2023 against rivals Alabama and Florida.

Heupel was silent for approximately 15 seconds when asked about the officiating in UT's 34-20 loss to Alabama on Oct. 21, 2023.

“Next question, yeah? Was that a long enough silence?" Heupel said after breaking his silence.

The question that prompted Heupel's silence asked if officiating was one-sided and suggested that Tennessee had to play two-hand touch while Alabama was allowed to play "Mortal Kombat." Tennessee was flagged for eight penalties for 55 yards, while Alabama was called for one penalty that cost the Crimson Tide five yards.

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Heupel was baffled by an official kicking a ball in a 29-16 loss at Florida on Sept. 17, 2023.

UT lined up quickly for a fourth-and-1 attempt at the Florida 17 trailing 26-10. Center judge Mike Block spotted the ball, then kicked it with his right foot as he ran to his position behind the offense.

“It has been a long time since I have seen an official kick the ball," Heupel said. "You got to go check the rule book.”

The kick led to the umpire fixing the spot, which allowed Florida to substitute before Wright was stuffed in the backfield for a 2-yard loss by a flurry of Florida defenders. Heupel hurried onto the field with his arms up seeking an explanation.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: What Josh Heupel said about officiating in Tennessee's loss to Georgia