The 3 most underrated plays from Tennessee Vols' win against Pittsburgh
The Tennessee Vols' win against the Pittsburgh Panthers featured numerous exciting plays that will be remembered for a long time to come. There was the long touchdown pass from Hendon Hooker to Bru McCoy that got the Vols to within three points of Pitt in the second quarter. There was also the impressive touchdown throw […]
The Tennessee Vols' win against the Pittsburgh Panthers featured numerous exciting plays that will be remembered for a long time to come.
There was the long touchdown pass from Hendon Hooker to Bru McCoy that got the Vols to within three points of Pitt in the second quarter.
There was also the impressive touchdown throw from Hooker to Cedric Tillman that put the Vols ahead in overtime.
While those plays were obviously vital to Tennessee's victory, there are three specific plays that were just as important for the Vols on Saturday night against the Panthers.
If these three plays aren't made, the outcome of the game could've been very different.
1. Trevon Flowers' interception in the first quarter
With the Vols' trailing 10-0, Pittsburgh looked poised to push their lead to 13-0 or 17-0 as they approached the red zone. Pressure from Tennessee forced Panthers quarterback Kedon Slovis out of the pocket. Linebacker Aaron Beasley did a great job of recognizing that Slovis was about to take off running and he ran from the opposite hash to deliver a jarring hit as the ball was released.
Cornerback Kamal Hadden tipped the ball in the back of the end zone and Trevon Flowers did a terrific job of securing the interception and getting his feet down in the back of the end zone.
2. Bru McCoy's third-down catch in the fourth quarter
Tennessee's first three possessions in the fourth quarter ended with two punts and a fumble. It was imperative that they scored points on the fourth drive of the quarter as they clung to a four-point lead.
It looked like the Vols' fourth drive of the quarter was going nowhere as they faced a third-and-nine situation. With Tennessee facing another three-and-out, it appeared that wide receiver Bru McCoy was going to be just short of the first down marker. He made a few impressive moves, however, to get past the defender and secure the first down.
The Vols would tack on an important field goal to increase their lead to seven points.
3. Trevon Flowers' sack in overtime
This play isn't technically underrated, but I feel like it got lost in the celebration a bit.
Before the fourth down incompletion that won the game for the Vols, the Panthers looked like they were going to score to force a second overtime.
Flowers, however, got to the Pitt quarterback and sacked him for a 12-yard loss, setting up a fourth and goal from the Tennessee 20. Without that play, there's a solid chance the Panthers score and who knows what happens from there.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
