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Ranking Tennessee football’s six losses of 2021 by heartbreak

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Theo Jackson (26) reacts after an overtime loss against the Purdue Boilermakers in the 2021 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Theo Jackson (26) reacts after an overtime loss against the Purdue Boilermakers in the 2021 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) looks to pass during a game against Pittsburgh at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Kns Tennessee Pittsburgh Football
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) looks to pass during a game against Pittsburgh at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Kns Tennessee Pittsburgh Football /

Neyland Stadium. 34. 839. 41. 866. Game 2. Knoxville, Tenn.. Saturday, Sept. 11

Rank: 3

This was a loss with a win, if you can look at it that way. Tennessee football entered the game coming off an ugly victory over the Bowling Green Falcons to get to 1-0. A blocked punt set up their first touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers, and they ended the first quarter up 10-0 over the eventual ACC Champions.

However, Pitt and Kenny Pickett then went off in the second quarter, scoring 27 points. Meanwhile, Joe Milton III’s issues with overthrows kept showing up. Trailing 14-13, Milton suffered a sack fumble that knocked him out of the game and put Pitt up 17-13.

Everything changed after that. Hooker came in and matched Pickett blow for blow. They trailed 27-20 at halftime and by two touchdowns twice in the second half, but Hooker kept fighting back. He finished 15-of-21 (71.4 percent) for 188 yards (9 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns while rushing for 49 yards.

The heartbreak here comes late. Trailing by a touchdown, Hooker had two chances to tie it up. However, on a 4th and 1 at the Pitt three, he made the wrong read on an RPO. Then, after UT got the ball back, he threw his one interception on the day. That cost the Vols, and Pitt won, seemingly at the time ending their chances of a bowl, but the legend of Hooker was about to begin.

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