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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols 48-45 OT loss to Purdue

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) finds a line through the Purdue defense during the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Tennessee and Purdue at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Hpt Music City Bowl First Half 02
Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) finds a line through the Purdue defense during the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Tennessee and Purdue at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Hpt Music City Bowl First Half 02 /
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Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O’Connell (16) throws a touchdown pass during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2021 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O’Connell (16) throws a touchdown pass during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2021 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Jaylen Wright was ruled short of the end zone due to forward progress on 4th and goal in the first overtime for Tennessee football. Three plays later, Mitchell Fineran hit a 36-yard field goal, and the Purdue Boilermakers beat the Vols in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl. UT’s four-game bowl winning streak, all against Big Ten teams, came to an end in the process.

Josh Heupel’s Vols jumped out to a 21-7 first quarter lead in the highest-scoring game in this bowl’s history. However, Purdue hit three field goals and scored a touchdown late in the second quarter after a UT turnover to go into halftime up 23-21. In the second half, the lead changed seven times. Chase McGrath missed a 56-yarder for a potential win as regulation expired.

With the loss, Rocky Top finishes its first year under Heupel at 7-6 and 4-4 in the SEC. Purdue, meanwhile, finishes 9-4 under Jeff Brohm, their best record since 1998, when they had Drew Brees. Here are five things we learned from Tennessee football’s heartbreaking loss.

5. The game was an aerial assault.

Both teams had over 600 yards of offense. With Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett, who also torched the Vols, gone, Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell may be the best pure pocket passer in the game. O’Connell completed 26-of-47 passes for 534 yards and five touchdowns. Broc Thompson led the way receiving with seven catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns.

Tight end Payne Durham had five catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns. UT couldn’t stop their passing game all day. All they could do was make big plays, and Kamal Hadden, Byron Young and Trevon Flowers did all come down with interceptions, the latter two due to the pass rush.

Not to be outdone, Hendon Hooker completed 26 of 41 passes for 378 yards and five touchdowns with no picks. He had guts too with 19 carries for 62 yards, and Tennessee football had more balance with 288 rushing yards, led by 180 from Jabari Small. Cedric Tillman, to nobody’s surprise, led the way receiving with seven catches for 150 yards and three touchdowns.

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