Colin Simmons absolutely *exploded* for five sacks in Texas’ 20-17 nail-biter win over Tennessee on Saturday, a performance that should have been nothing but highlight reels. But his second quarterback takedown came with a celebration so wild it drew an unsportsmanlike penalty, putting the Longhorns in a seriously hairy spot at Neyland Stadium.
The Flag That Almost Flipped The Game
This wasn’t just some run-of-the-mill flag, folks. After dropping Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon, Simmons appeared to mime himself urinating on the field. His teammates were literally trying to stop him as it happened! Referee Kyle Olson flagged him for unsportsmanlike conduct, stating Simmons simulated using the restroom. The impact was immediate and brutal: that third-down sack should have given Tennessee a fourth-and-29, forcing a punt from their own 12. Instead, the Volunteers got a whole new set of downs. Cameras even caught Simmons on the sideline for multiple plays afterward as Tennessee used that penalty to drive deep into Texas territory. Talk about a heart-stopping moment that could have flipped the game on its head. Luckily for Simmons and Texas, Tennessee eventually failed on a fourth-down attempt, dodging a huge bullet.
Sarkisian’s Stance and Simmons’ Spin
After the game, Simmons offered an apology, saying, “I was definitely in that mode, feeling myself. But you know, it happens, charge it to the game.” When pressed about conversations with coaches, he repeatedly leaned on the “next play mentality,” saying they don’t harp on it and just move on. Head coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t mince words, calling it a “bad football play” and an “emotional play.” He even revealed he’d warned the team not to get too hyped with over 100,000 fans, plus the President of the United States, watching. But Sarkisian also stood by his star: “I’m not gonna give the guy a death penalty for an unsportsmanlike conduct. It has to about the team and not the look at me.” They took Simmons out, addressed it, and he kept playing.
Simmons, a preseason All-American and a serious potential first-round NFL draft pick, continued to make plays after the incident. Interestingly, on his subsequent sacks, his teammates were clearly signaling to him to keep the celebrations subdued. The 20-year-old junior from Duncanville, a five-star recruit who was an All-SEC first-team pick last season, even captained the team at the pregame coin toss. He’s clearly a leader and a dominant force. What he does with this lesson, and how he channels that raw emotion, will be huge to watch as the season rolls on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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