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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 defensive end Jack Sullivan (99) sacks Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers defensive end Jack Sullivan (99) sacks Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Vols failed to convert too many short-yardage situations.

Although the officials should be held accountable for those two plays, Tennessee football struggled far too often on short-yardage plays. It never should have been fourth down on that Jaylen Wright play, as they had it 1st and goal from the three-yard line. The refs didn’t bring up the 4th and goal from the one situation for them.

Even beforehand, in that same overtime, UT had to go for it on another 4th and 1 because they failed on two short-yardage plays. In regulation, at one point, they had a 4th and goal touchdown pass from the 13-yard line after having it 1st and goal from the five.

There was another drive earlier in the second half where the Vols brought up a 4th and 1 from the Purdue 41-yard line, and they were unable to convert. These little things add up, and they proved to make a huge difference late. Then came the final drive of regulation.

Yes, Cedric Tillman was held on that play. However, it was 2nd and 3 from the Purdue 43 yard line with 18 seconds left and UT having three timeouts left. Heupel dialed up back to back deep balls. That made no sense, with the Vols only needing a field goal to win. Purdue kept it close because of too many red zone field goals, but UT’s issues on short-yardage plays proved more costly.

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