A Definition Day: Undefeated And Unbothered, Texas Survives As Tennessee Falls Just Short
Tennessee pushed undefeated Texas to the limit in a defining SEC matchup at Neyland Stadium, but the Vols ultimately fell just short. The loss marked a hard-fought test for Tennessee against one of the nation’s top teams.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The number one team in the country left the Lone Star State and came to Rocky Top looking for a fight. They got one that lasted all the way to the final snap.
The Longhorns needed a batted-down Hail Mary in the end zone to hold off No. 14 Tennessee 20-17 on Saturday, opening Southeastern Conference play for both programs in a game that swung on sacks, special teams chaos and one very costly celebration.
Let’s not overlook the QB look-alike that was once successful with a Hail Mary in SEC play. It could have easily launched Faizon’s early career and the Vols to new heights. If you’re looking for hope, there it is.
Texas (4-0, 1-0 SEC) leaned on a defense that terrorized Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon from the opening series. Edge rusher Colin Simmons set a new program record with five sacks, part of a 10-sack team effort that buried Brandon behind the line most of the afternoon. He finished 17 of 29 for 145 yards and a touchdown, numbers that undersell how often he was running for his life in his first ever SEC start. The offensive line unit had some injuries, while working through the Texas sized physical attack. Wendall Moe Jr. was seen with the training staff as the broadcast dealt with audio difficulty. Was that the problem?
Texas’ line, on the other hand, had no problems. Running back Raleek Brown found his lanes. Brown supplied the offense Texas needed, scoring twice, including the go-ahead 4-yard touchdown with 5:41 remaining. Kicker Giannis Spetic added two field goals. Texas was able to dial up plays that scored. Tennessee was not as fortunate.
Nonetheless, football is still played for 60 minutes. Tennessee made Texas earn every minute on the game clock.
“Next thing you know you’re fighting to finish a game, which we were able to do”
Steve Sarkisian post-game
Texas Head Coach
Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) had an answer to the problems. Faizon Brandon led an 80-yard drive capped by a 30-yard touchdown pass to Mike Matthews with 1:22 left, cutting the deficit to three. The Volunteers relied heavily on special teams once again to bring the punch. A heavily disputed onside kick was recovered by LB Arion Carter. Officials flagged the play based on the spot of the kick on the field. However, no penalty was placed on the successful ball recovery. Sarkisian wasn’t done trying to fight off the Vols late attack. He used a timeout to force a second throw when the first sailed out of bounds. Faizon Brandon gave it one final heave toward Travis Smith Jr. in the end zone. It was knocked away by defensive back Jelani McDonald as time expired. Faizon was not available in post game to media for a comment on the play, in part for a post game follow-up trip to the training staff. However, Heupel did say his QB was disappointed.
“I’m not talking about the injury, just not playing up to the standard for us offensively”
Josh Heupel post-game
Tennessee Head Coach
The Texas coach made no apologies for how the win came together, pointing to a schedule that still includes seven ranked opponents. He was equally unbothered by a mid-game hiccup: a 57-yard punt return touchdown by Tennessee’s Qua Moss that briefly flipped the game’s momentum.
“We win big games around here, we do”
Steve Sarkisian post-game
Texas Head Coach
Did that one game just define them? Simmons’ record-setting day was somewhat defined by a penalty. And no, for once, not one that shouldn’t have been called. After his second sack of the game, he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. Officials flagged him for simulated use of the restroom on the field. It extended a Tennessee possession before Texas took a 10-3 lead into the break. Sarkisian addressed it directly postgame, saying the staff pulled Simmons aside and put him back in, adding that the act “can’t continue.” This made Texas beatable. Emotional teams will make costly mistakes. Tennessee should have capitalized on it.
Arch Manning was efficient rather than spectacular for Texas, going 14 of 19 for 201 yards as the Longhorns leaned on their defense and running game to close it out. Manning downplayed his own performance postgame, saying simply that he hadn’t played his best football. Penalties were a problem for the visitors. Texas had 11 for 115 yards, seven of them before halftime. It’s the kind of mess Sarkisian said his team will need to clean up before its bye week arrives.
The day before the league opener, I asked ESPN host Rece Davis to tell me what he was excited for in the matchup. So many story lines were all over this game. As a veteran analyst, what did he see coming? He gave me an answer that was foreshadowing. It would be a definition day.
“This is a definition day for both teams”
RECE DAVIS
ESPN College GameDay
So, how do we define this game? The scoreboard? After all, nothing really matters except the scoreboard as time expires. Was it the celebrations from Texas’ young millionaires? At two different times, celebrations shown on ESPN went viral with fans online. The Texas brand was unapologetic in its success. Was it the flyover showing that the United States of America cares about the educational institutions of this country?
Maybe the sitting President of the free world sitting side by side with the State of Tennessee leaders?
Maybe it was the fans pulling off tailgates inside the stadium at 9:30 am for a noon kickoff. So many things to evaluate here that could define this game we all love. It was college football. The winner takes it all, including the right to define what winning looks like. And apparently, it also comes with the game ball. As reported by Outkick’s Trey Wallace, a Texas assistant coach had to go after Qua Moss to retrieve the game ball after the final whistle.
Heupel said everyone would play a role in recovering from this one.
“Whether you win or lose, everybody has got to take ownership. I have to take ownership, staff, everybody. Certainly the players too. We’ve got to get better from it.”
Josh heupel
Tennessee Head Coach
While the fans are left to scroll the internet for memes, copium, and a definition of their own. This game defined two things. 1. Texas is beatable. 2. Tennessee is good. But not good enough.
Why is Tennessee not good enough by definition? The sting comes from an offense that entered the day ranked 14th nationally in total yardage and never found rhythm against Texas’ front. The Volunteers managed just 221 total yards. Heupel didn’t spread the blame around evenly. Josh Heupel and staff are 2-4 in SEC openers. Another stat that stands out, they are 0-7 against the last 7 ranked opponents. Stats are not emotional. They don’t go off vibes. The Vols aren’t good enough. Heupel agreed during his post game comments.
“Up front, not good enough. Quarterback, not good enough”
JOSH HEUPEL
Tennessee Head Coach
He did however praise his team’s competitiveness even in a game that got away from it structurally.
So what’s next? It’s week 5. Texas gets a break this week to fix the issues before Oklahoma looms on the schedule. Tennessee turns the page to host Auburn, as it looks to right itself in conference play.
Speaking of the conference, the new 9-game SEC format gave Tennessee a break from teeing off against two teams that are dominating college football through week 4. The Georgia and Florida weeks being left off the regular season schedule is looking to be a handicap in Tennessee’s favor. There is still a back nine with LSU, the Aggies, and Vandy. But playing the back nine without two tough holes is a better view from the clubhouse.
