The 3 most important plays of the Tennessee Vols' memorable 2022 season

The Tennessee Vols' memorable 2022 season featured numerous great plays that helped UT reach 11 wins for the first time since 2001. From Jalin Hyatt's five touchdowns against Alabama to Joe Milton's clutch performance against Clemson in the Orange Bowl, there was no shortage of tremendous plays from the Vols in 2022.  There were three […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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The Tennessee Vols' memorable 2022 season featured numerous great plays that helped UT reach 11 wins for the first time since 2001.

From Jalin Hyatt's five touchdowns against Alabama to Joe Milton's clutch performance against Clemson in the Orange Bowl, there was no shortage of tremendous plays from the Vols in 2022. 

There were three specific plays, however, that came at critical moments that helped swing Tennessee's season from a potential five loss season to a two loss season. 

1. Trevon Flowers' interception against Pittsburgh in the second game of the year

In week two of the 2022 season, Tennessee traveled to Pittsburgh to avenge their loss to the Panthers from the previous season. 

It was a pivotal game for a Tennessee squad looking to take a big step forward in Josh Heupel's second season as the program's head coach. 

The game got off to rough start for the Vols as Pitt took an early 10-0 lead. With just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter, it looked like the Panthers were on the verge of going up 17-0, which would've been tough to overcome. 

Pitt quarterback Kedon Slovis, however, saw his pass on third-and-10 bounce off wide receiver Bub Means' hands. Vols safety Trevon Flowers managed to come up with the interception, barely getting his feet down in bounds to complete the play. 

The Vols went on to score a touchdown on an 11-play drive to make the score 10-7. Tennessee would go on to win the game in overtime. But if not for that interception by Flowers, the Vols might not get the win against Pitt. And perhaps the entire season plays out differently for Tennessee. 

2. Ramel Keyton's diving catch against Florida

It's been nearly a year since Ramel Keyton's majestic diving catch against the Gators and I still don't think it gets enough attention. 

With the Vols trailing 14-10 just before halftime, it was starting to feel like another "close but no cigar" type game for Tennessee against Florida. 

A 12-play 99 yard drive that was highlighted by Keyton's diving catch, however, helped turn the game around. 

Maybe Tennessee wins that game even if Keyton doesn't make that catch. That moment, however, felt like the Vols' fortunes were finally changing. Before that drive, nearly every Tennessee fan had the same thought — the Vols need to score before the half to win this game. 

That 12 play drive was a grind. It wasn't one of the "easy" possessions that we saw so often from the Vols in 2022. It showed that Tennessee can go on lengthy drives and put seven points on the board in pressure situations. And Keyton's catch, which turned the momentum in Tennessee's favor, was the key play on that drive, which ended with a Vols touchdown and a 17-14 lead at halftime for UT. 

3. Tennessee's third-and-10 stop against Alabama

The offense in Tennessee's 52-49 win against Alabama is what gets most of the attention. But it was a defensive play (thanks to a great play call from defensive coordinator Tim Banks) that gave the Vols a chance to win the game. 

With 25 seconds remaining, Alabama had a third-and-10 situation as they attempted to get into field goal range. 

Banks sent linebacker Aaron Beasley on a blitz and he was untouched as he hit Bama quarterback Bryce Young just as the ball was released. That pressure helped force the incompletion, which left Alabama with a 50-yard field attempt that was missed (it also stopped the clock and saved Tennessee from using a key timeout that they would later need). 

If Banks doesn't send Beasley, Young has a bit more time in the pocket to make a play. And there's a good chance that Young, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, would've made a play. Banks and the Vols' defense received plenty of criticism during the 2022 season, but they made several big plays at important moments. And this was certainly the biggest of those moments. 

Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

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