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Tennessee football: Top 10 games in 2021 by Vols returning for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands thee ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Tennessee and Purdue at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Bowl Cm 1230 12
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands thee ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Tennessee and Purdue at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Bowl Cm 1230 12 /
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Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) scores a touchdown past Purdue Boilermakers cornerback Jamari Brown (7) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) scores a touchdown past Purdue Boilermakers cornerback Jamari Brown (7) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /

839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Cedric Tillman. player. 2. Wide receiver. Purdue

7 catches, 150 yards, 3 TDs

In addition to Jabari Small stepping up against Purdue, Cedric Tillman had his best game against Purdue. He did his damage for Tennessee football early on, as was the case for the Vols in Josh Heupel’s offense for most of the year, but it was a bit unique even by those standards here.

Tillman caught a 41-yard pass for a touchdown on the Vols’ first offensive possession. Purdue then tied it up, but two possessions later, Tillman caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from Hooker. As a result, before the first quarter even ended, he had come away with over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns, which would’ve been enough to put this game up here.

However, Tillman continued. In the fourth quarter, with the Vols trailing 38-31, on that same drive in which Small had his 60-yard run, Tillman finished the deal. It was 4th and goal from the 13-yard line due to a series of penalties, and Tillman caught a pass over the middle to run in for a clutch score, tying the game up in a key moment.

Every time the Vols needed a play, Tillman was as much there for them as Small was. All of his plays mattered and were at crucial moments too, so his Music City Bowl performance easily makes this list.

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