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Tennessee football’s top five performers in 34-27 OT win at Pitt

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) runs after a catch against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman John Morgan III (6) 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) runs after a catch against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman John Morgan III (6) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Was it ugly? Does it matter if you beat a ranked team on the road? These are all questions surrounding Tennessee football after their 34-27 overtime win at the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday. However, what is indisputable is that the veterans for the Vols, their biggest stars, stepped up when needed most.

As we get set to break down the best performers in this game, you’ll notice that it’s a who’s who of the most recognizable players we talked about in the offseason. We’re talking players who were all over the preseason awards watch lists and who made preseason All-SEC.

There were other players who deserve shoutouts as well, but these are the guys who played great without no mistakes to hold them back. Some of them did make mistakes, including one player who had a critical miscue, but they all outweighed any potential mistakes with epic plays. Here are the top five Vols in Tennessee football’s win at Pitt.

These were the Tennessee football Volunteers’ best players in their overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Nick Patti (12) of the Pittsburgh Panthers throws the ball downfield while under pressure by Byron Young (6) of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on September 10, 2022.Pittsburgh Panthers Vs Tennessee Volunteers
Nick Patti (12) of the Pittsburgh Panthers throws the ball downfield while under pressure by Byron Young (6) of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on September 10, 2022.Pittsburgh Panthers Vs Tennessee Volunteers /

Scouting Report. Defensive end. player. Pick Analysis. Senior. Byron Young. 5. 839

4 tackles (3 solo); 1 sack; 2 TFLs; 3 QB hurries

Just like we said, the standout preseason veterans were the stars in this game, and Byron Young is one of those guys. Young and Aaron Beasley each had three quarterback hurries. Beasley does deserve a shoutout for leading the team with 14 tackles, seven solo, and getting a tackle for a loss and a pass deflection.

However, linebacker coverage was an issue. Young was nearly perfect in his role, as he made critical plays without mistakes, which puts him on here. The hurries and multiple tackles for a loss are exactly what he is supposed to do, and he was a huge part of the Vols’ success Saturday.

The one sack he had was also crucial. It came in the second half. Tennessee football had spotted Pitt the ball in the red zone after a Jaylen Wright fumble, but on 3rd and goal, Young dropped Nick Pattie for a six-yard loss, forcing a field goal even though Pitt trailed by a touchdown. Coming up with big plays like that put him on this list.

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