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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 wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) can not come up with a catch against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third 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 wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) can not come up with a catch against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

2. There were too many mistakes, penalties, and missed opportunities.

Pitt was only able to be in this game late because of an insane number of mistakes by Tennessee football. To be fair, the Vols benefitted from two missed field goals by Pitt, including a chip shot, while Chase McGrath made a 52-yarder. They probably feel like that was a difference.

Still, the second half was an awful performance by UT, as they made mistake after mistake. Paxton Brooks had a punt blocked. Jaylen Wright fumbled the ball. Then, with Pitt punting in the fourth quarter, Tre Flowers reached back to try to catch it and muffed it, which set them up for their game-tying touchdown drive.

All of those plays were awful. Beyond just those mistakes, though, the Vols had some key unforced penalties on offense. A first-half drive was killed due to a holding penalty. There was an offensive pass interference to kill their first drive of the second half. They had a false start on the next drive, which ended in a three-and-out.

Another false start forced a drive to end in a field goal. Then, in overtime, Hendon Hooker had a rushing touchdown called back due to a holding. He responded with a touchdown pass the next play, but that still could have been crucial. Seven penalties for 70 yards nearly cost the Vols.

Beyond just the penalties, though, they missed too many opportunities. Hooker overthrew Cedric Tillman for at least two more touchdown passes, and Tillman shockingly had two first-quarter drops, including one on fourth down.

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