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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 34-27 OT win at Pitt

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass defended by Pittsburgh linebacker Shayne Simon (32) during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The Vols defeated Pitt 34-27 in overtime.Tennpitt0910 03205
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass defended by Pittsburgh linebacker Shayne Simon (32) during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The Vols defeated Pitt 34-27 in overtime.Tennpitt0910 03205 /
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Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive linemen Byron Young (6) and Tyler Baron (9) celebrate a defensive stop against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive linemen Byron Young (6) and Tyler Baron (9) celebrate a defensive stop against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Defense brought the pressure.

Yes, Tennessee football still has issues in coverage, particularly at linebacker. Jeremy Banks was completely lost on a touchdown pass from Kedon Slovis to Gavin Bartholomew in the first half, and Pitt did have 274 yards through the air. However, the pass defense was still good because of what was done on the line.

UT’s defensive front actually outplayed Pitt’s today, and given how Pat Narduzzi constructs everything around the pass rush, that’s shocking. Yes, Pitt still got its plays, finishing with three sacks, but the Vols dominated. They batted down four passes, two by defensive linemen Omari Thomas and Kurott Garland. Another was by linebacker Aaron Beasley.

Most importantly, they had four sacks and 16 hurries. All four sacks were crucial too. Wesley Walker got one on a corner blitz for a stop on 4th and 3. Tyler Baron got a strip-sack to set up a field goal for the Vols at the end of the first half. Byron Young got one to kill a red zone drive and force a field goal.

Then there was Tre Flowers, who got the overtime sack to force the 4th and goal from the 20, which secured the win for the Vols. That sack was due to the pressure. Yes, Slovis was knocked out of the game in the first half, and Nick Patti finished it off. That might have made a difference. Patti got hurt too, though. UT just generated tons of pressure in general.

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