Josh Heupel got down to the “letter of the law” when discussing the controversial fair catch call made in Tennessee’s 34-20 loss to Alabama.

Early in the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium, freshman Cam Seldan returned an Alabama kick to the 24, but the ball was moved back to the Tennessee 4-yard line after officials said freshman linebacker Jeremiah Telander signaled for a fair catch, per On3.

Telander pointed up toward the ball from his spot, the Tennessee coach said on Monday, and that was deemed a fair catch.

“Letter of the law,” Heupel said Monday, “anybody puts their hand up above the shoulder that would signify a fair catch. We had a frontline guy that put his pointer finger up slightly above the shoulder.”

“No,” Heupel then confirmed, “he’s not coached to do that. No.”

Initially, there was confusion about which Tennessee player called for a fair catch. Seldon didn’t and neither did Dee Williams.

After the fair catch was called on the kickoff, Tennessee had a three-and-out from the 4-yard line and punted back to Alabama. The Crimson Tide went back down the field on a six-play, 46-yard drive capped with a 42-yard field goal.

The Tide, which trailed 20-7 at halftime, rallied for a 34-20 win. Jalen Milroe passed for two touchdowns, Jihaad Campbell returned a fumble for a score in the fourth quarter and No. 11 Alabama uncorked 27 straight second-half points in rallying for a 34-20 victory over No. 17 Tennessee.

“Disappointed for our program for not coming away with a win down at Alabama,” Heupel said Monday.

In another fair-catch ruling Saturday, Iowa trailed Minnesota 12-10 with 1:20 left in the fourth quarter when Iowa’s Cooper DeJean returned the punt for a touchdown. Officials determined that DeJean waving his left arm, despite it being below his shoulder, was a signal for a fair catch.