Tennessee football’s turning points in 34-27 OT win at Pitt
Given the fact that Tennessee football fell behind 10-0 and then won in overtime against the Pittsburgh Panthers, every big play was a key moment. However, a few changed the flow of the game significantly more than others. Here are the turning points in the Vols’ 34-27 overtime win against a top 20 team on the road.
Trevon Flowers interception
This was the spark that got the Vols going. Don’t forget, that they were down 10-0 at this point and had just been stopped on a fourth down the previous drive. Pitt was driving and made it 1st and 10 at the Tennessee 21, seriously threatening to go up 17-0. That’s when the defense held.
After forcing two incomplete passes, Trevon Flowers came away with a pick on the third pass. This is what got the Vols going, as they scored a touchdown on their next drive to cut it to 10-7. However, if the defense doesn’t come through on those three plays, Pitt may have broken the game wide open.
Wesley Walker 4th down stop
Even with that pick and subsequent touchdown, Tennessee football still couldn’t catch up. The Vols allowed Pitt to score on the next drive. Now, they recovered with a second straight touchdown drive that saw them convert two key third downs, but what happened afterward was an even bigger deal.
Pitt was driving again and threatening to go up 24-14. They got to the Tennessee 28 with a 4th and 3. Pat Narduzzi decided to go for it. After getting burned on a blitz the previous drive, Tim Banks dialed up another one. It worked, and Wesley Walker got the sack. A 61-yard pass to Cedric Tillman set up the go-ahead touchdown for UT on the next drive.
Back to back red zone stands in second half
That fourth down stop really got the Vols going, as they later managed to get a strip-sack to set up a game-winning field goal. However, the offense sputtered in the third quarter. Then came the mistakes. The Vols had a punt blocked that set Pitt up inside the 20. Jaylen Wright then fumbled to set them up near midfield, and they drove to the five.
On both of those drives, they came away with a combined three points. Rocky Top’s defense held firm on the first one, and Pitt missed a 36-yard field goal. Then Byron Young came away with a huge sack on the next one, forcing them to try another field goal, which they made. Holding firm on those drives is why this can be called a defensive win.
Hendon Hooker overtime touchdown pass to Cedric Tillman
It may be obvious, but that 28-yard touchdown pass from Hendon Hooker to Cedric Tillman was crucial. On the previous play, Hooker seemingly had a touchdown run, but it was called back due to a holding penalty on Gerald Mincey. That brought up a 2nd and 13, and it seemed as if Tennessee football’s offense would fail once again.
However, after knocking on the door all game, Tillman finally got into the end zone for the first time this year. Hooker had over 300 yards passing, and Tillman had over 150 yards receiving, but none of those yards for either player were more important than those 28 right there to put them up 34-27 in the first OT.
Trevon Flowers sack
Just like Hendon Hooker’s touchdown pass, Trevon Flowers’ big play in overtime came after a devastating one. The Vols had forced a 3rd and 13. Pitt brought up a 4th and 5 from that and then converted. However, the defense didn’t quit. After allowing a two-yard run, they forced an incomplete pass from the eight.
Next. Five takeaways from Vols' win at Pitt. dark
Then came 3rd and 8, and Tennessee football’s pass rush delivered again. Tim Banks brilliantly sent Flowers on a blitz, and he came away with a huge sack that made it 4th and goal from the 20. On the next play, the pass fell incomplete, and the Vols got the win. It all came down to that play from Flowers, though.