Will Muschamp saw a leaked version of a promotional video that featured an “F-bomb” that was never meant to go public. While comedic, some might find offensive and the video didn’t help matters considering the South Carolina Gamecocks lost their opening game against Tennessee.

On Tuesday, during his weekly presser, Muschamp had an exchange with reporter Phil Kornblut. The latter brought up the video incident despite Muschamp not exactly addressing it fully.

That led to an interesting back and forth between Muschamp and Kornblut.

“Why did I know you were going to ask that,” Muschamp said. “It was an outtake between me and Justin King and if I offended anybody, I apologize. It was between me and another guy. Why in the world would I know you would ask this question?”

Kornblut answered with his reasoning.

“Well they said you would address it after the game but i figured you weren’t in the mood,” Kornblut said.

That’s where Muschamp decided to get a little test.
“Well I'm still not in the mood, but thanks for bringing it up. Again i apologize if I offended anybody but it was between two people, it was never meant to be public. It was between two people and someone thought they were going to be cute and put it out there so Phil Kornblut is going to ask a question. Tiger Phil strikes again.”

Muschamp also said he did not know who released the video.

“No but I'm looking forward to finding out,” Muschamp said. “Did you put it out Phil? Did you get a hold of it?”

Kornblut ended by asking what Muschamp would say to the person who released the video.

“I probably couldn’t say at this press conference,” Muschamp said. “I don't want to use that language again Phil.”

South Carolina suffered a 31-27 loss to Tennessee this past Saturday, but the Gamecocks' effort was not what ESPN and SEC Network college football analyst Paul Finebaum took issue with. After South Carolina (0-1) fell to the Vols (1-0), Finebaum pointed a finger squarely at Muschamp.

"In the end, it seemed like Will Muschamp can't do anything right," Finebaum said Monday on The Paul Finebaum Show. "He gets his team back in the game and then it all falls apart."

South Carolina tied Tennessee, 24-24, after a 35-yard field goal by fifth-year senior kicker Parker White at the fourth quarter's 10:48 mark. The Vols took a 31-24 lead 1:13 later, at the fourth quarter's 9:35 mark, when fifth-year senior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano threw a 32-yard touchdown pass complete to senior wide receiver Josh Palmer.

After trading possessions, the Gamecocks got an opportunity with 7:11 left. South Carolina drove from its own 15-yard line and into Tennessee territory as it threatened to tie the game on a touchdown.

But following Colorado State graduate transfer quarterback Collin Hill's three-yard pass complete to third-year sophomore running back Deshaun Fenwick, the Gamecocks faced a 4th-and-12 situation at the Vols' 28-yard line. Rather than try for a first down, South Carolina went with a 45-yard field goal by White.

But the Gamecocks still trailed by more than a field goal at 31-27 with 3:16 left.

South Carolina stopped Tennessee's ensuing drive after five plays and two timeouts, but a muffed punt return by redshirt freshman defensive back Cam Smith with 1:24 left allowed the Vols to take back over. Tennessee ran out the clock and escaped Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, with a four-point edge.

Coming off a 4-8 (3-5 SEC) result for the 2019 season, Muschamp is now 26-26 and 15-18 against conference play since taking over for South Carolina in 2016. He faces his former Florida program after leading the Gators from 2011-14, registering a 28-21 (17-15) mark.

247Sports’ Garrett Stepien contributed to this story.