Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols 24-20 win at Missouri

5. Running backs failed to protect the lead for the second straight game.

While special teams made the consistent mistakes, it’s a bit of a concern that for the second straight game, Tennessee football almost lost because a running back could not hold onto the football in the fourth quarter. Against the Kentucky Wildcats, Ty Chandler made the mistake, which is why the Vols had their goal-line stand.

This time, Tim Jordan made the mistake. It was the only turnover of the game for either team. Up 24-17, the Vols were trying to turn to the ground game and run out the clock. They had carried the ball into Missouri Tigers territory. Then, on 2nd and 3, Jordan ran for a first down. UT was destined to score on this drive and take complete control.

However, Jordan had a catastrophic fumble. That’s why the defense had to make a stand. But once again, they came through. The Vols allowed Mizzou to drive into their own territory off that fumble, but they held them to a field goal. Then after another stalled drive, the defense got a late crucial stop. These guys deserve credit for that.

It can’t keep coming down to that, though. Jordan and Chandler have to be reliable enough late in games to secure victories. Now, Jordan’s fumble was the result of a helmet on the ball. So you can’t really blame him for that. But when it happens two games in a row, it becomes a concerning trend for everybody.