The Sequence In Tennessee’s Loss Against Vanderbilt That Symbolized Its Shortcomings

Tennessee’s offense took over at its own 11-yard line with 5:05 remaining in the first half. The Vols led 21-14 and had a chance to take control of the game heading into the locker room. What ensued was a back breaking sequence that cost Tennessee and set the stage for Vanderbilt’s 45-24 route of the Vols at Neyland Stadium.

The Vols moved the sticks to begin the drive after defensive pass interference on a Joey Aguilar pass intended for Braylon Staley on third down. But Tennessee went backwards shortly thereafter when Mike Matthews was blocking before DeSean Bishop caught a check down which led to an offensive pass interference.

The 15-yard penalty killed the drive and Tennessee punted from its own 11-yard line two plays later.

It was a sequence that summed up many of Tennessee’s issues playing complimentary football this season. The Vols’ defense struggled but when they did get a timely stop or force a turnover, Tennessee’s offense was rarely able to capitalize on it.

“Guys competed extremely hard. We didn’t always play extremely smart,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “There’s a play that drastically changes the game and the way that it’s played. So welcome to life and in this league. You got to be on the right side of those things.”

Vanderbilt took over at its own 48-yard line and quickly moved into the red zone. But Tennessee forced Vanderbilt into third-and-12 at the 13-yard line and just 12 seconds left in the half. Tim Banks drew up the blitz and flushed Diego Pavia from the quarterback, forcing him to throw it out of bounds.

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But roughing the passer on Jalen McMurray extended the drive. It was a questionable call and not an egregious mistake by McMurray but it was one that cost Tennessee dearly.

“I didn’t truly see the play,” Heupel said. “They just said we hit him in the head.”

Pavia connected with Tre Richardson one play later for a six-yard touchdown to tie the game. The Commodores completed the double dip out of the halftime intermission, driving 75 yards in 11 plays while facing just one third down on the entire drive.

The sequence to end the first half, when Tennessee could have pushed its lead to two scores but ended up tied due to two self inflicted mistakes, symbolized so many of the Vols’ shortcomings this season. It was fitting that Tennessee’s comeback chances largely ended after Matthews dropped an easy touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

The Vols were not a great team but they were good enough to compete and beat anyone on their schedule this season. But Tennessee was unable to play complimentary football and put together complete efforts. The Vols were good in flashes but not consistently. Far too often, self inflicted mistakes cost Tennessee’s 2025 team.

Were those two penalties the difference in Tennessee beating and losing to Vanderbilt? Almost certainly not. But it was the game changing sequence that set the stage for Vanderbilt’s dominant second half.