No. 15 Tennessee Survives OT Scare At Rowdy Mississippi State
In the deafening Davis Wade Stadium, with the cowbells clanging a rhythm of impending doom, the Tennessee Volunteers stared into the abyss. Down a touchdown with less than two minutes on the clock, their playoff hopes were flickering, threatening to be extinguished by a Mississippi State team hungry to end a painful conference losing streak. This was more than a game; it was a gut-check, a moment that would define the character of this Tennessee squad.
They didn’t flinch.
In a thrilling, heart-stopping overtime victory, No. 15 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC) clawed its way back from the brink to survive a ferocious upset bid from Mississippi State (4-1, 0-1), winning 41-34 in a classic SEC slugfest. It was a night of wild momentum swings, bone-jarring defensive plays, and the kind of raw emotion that makes college football the spectacle it is.
Tennessee’s Offense Wakes Up When It Matters Most
For three quarters, the vaunted Tennessee offense looked lost at sea. The Bulldogs’ defense, playing with a ferocity that belied their underdog status, had quarterback Joey Aguilar flustered. An interception by Zakari Tillman led directly to a Mississippi State touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a 34-27 lead and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The Vols’ backs were against the wall.
That’s when Aguilar found his poise. With the season hanging in the balance, he orchestrated a masterful 13-play, 75-yard drive, culminating in a gutsy 6-yard touchdown run with just 1:55 left to force overtime. It was a drive defined by precision and grit, with Aguilar connecting on crucial throws to his top targets. Wide receivers Mike Matthews (6 catches, 118 yards) and Chris Brazzell II (6 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD) became unstoppable forces, finding open space when it mattered most.
The heroics didn’t stop there. On the very first play of overtime, running back DeSean Bishop took the handoff, shed two would-be tacklers, and exploded for a 25-yard touchdown run. It was a statement play, a decisive blow that put all the pressure back on the Bulldogs.
A Defensive Stand to Save the Season
While the offense delivered the final punch, it was the Tennessee defense that kept them in the fight. The defensive line was relentless, sacking Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen five times and racking up an astonishing 11 tackles for loss. They didn’t just disrupt; they created chaos, forcing turnovers that turned into points. Two defensive touchdowns—one on an interception return and another on a fumble recovery—provided a lifeline when the offense was sputtering.
When Mississippi State got the ball in overtime, that same defensive tenacity sealed the victory. The Vols’ front seven stood tall, stuffing the run and forcing a do-or-die fourth-and-goal from inside the five-yard line. The pass fell incomplete, the Tennessee sideline erupted, and a collective sigh of relief washed over the Volunteer faithful. They had survived.
Heartbreak for the Bulldogs
For Mississippi State, this will be a loss that stings. They were so close to snapping a demoralizing SEC losing streak that stretches back to October 2023. They played with heart, matching a top-15 team blow for blow. Shapen was efficient, and running back Fluff Bothwell was a workhorse, gashing the Vols for 134 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
In the end, it wasn’t enough. They had their chance to put the game away but couldn’t land the knockout blow. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but their performance proved they are a much-improved team, capable of competing with anyone in this brutal conference.
What This Means for Tennessee Football
This wasn’t just a win; it was a testament to this team’s resilience. After a tough loss to Georgia two weeks ago, another conference defeat would have been devastating. Instead, Tennessee showed the heart of a contender. They faced adversity on the road, in one of the toughest environments in college football, and found a way to win. It wasn’t always pretty, but championship seasons are often built on ugly, hard-fought victories like this one. The playoff dream is still alive in Knoxville.
