NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a spirited game against in-state rival Vanderbilt, No. 7 Tennessee overcame an early 14-point deficit, thanks in part to Nico Iamaleava’s impressive performance. He tossed for 257 yards and connected for four touchdowns, leading the Volunteers to a convincing 36-23 victory on Saturday.
The Volunteers, sporting a record of 10-2 and 6-2 in the Southeastern Conference, aimed for a robust win to capture the attention of the College Football Playoff committee. Their success against the Commodores, marking the sixth consecutive triumph over them, came at a crucial time as they vie for a favorable playoff position.
The game began on a jarring note for Tennessee. Vanderbilt’s junior Sherrill electrified the crowd by returning the opening kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown, quickly putting the Commodores up 7-0. Shortly after, a fumble by Dylan Sampson set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Sedrick Alexander, giving Vanderbilt a surprising 14-0 lead within minutes of the game’s start. However, Iamaleava shifted momentum back in favor of Tennessee with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Dont’e Thornton Jr.
A significant turning point came when Max Gilbert’s 50-yard field goal attempt fortuitously hit the crossbar and cleared it for three points. Iamaleava soon found Thornton again for an 86-yard touchdown play, and he capped off the first half with an 18-yard touchdown to Miles Kitselman, granting Tennessee a 24-17 advantage at halftime.
After halftime, Iamaleava continued his stellar showing by connecting with Mike Matthews for a 14-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 31-17. The Volunteers then added a safety by Tyre West and another field goal from Gilbert.
Vanderbilt managed to score late in the game with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Diego Pavia to Richie Hoskins, although their attempt at a two-point conversion was unsuccessful, cementing a final score of 36-23.
This performance raised questions regarding the implications for Tennessee’s playoff positioning. The Volunteers struggled initially with yet another slow start but gained the momentum needed for a strong finish. Speculation remains about whether they will host a playoff game in December at Neyland Stadium, a venue where they had gone undefeated throughout this season.
Key observations included Tennessee’s impressive touchdown drives of 91 and 96 yards in the first half. Despite a challenging start, the Vols expertly adapted, dominating the time of possession. They outgained Vanderbilt dramatically, racking up 538 yards to the Commodores’ 212.
Vanderbilt showcased considerable offensive strength against Tennessee, achieving 114 yards rushing and scoring 17 points by halftime against a defense that ranked sixth in the nation for yardage allowed per game. The Volunteers had previously held most opponents to fewer than 20 points throughout the season.
Tennessee’s standout running back, Sampson, who previously set a program record with 22 rushing touchdowns this season, experienced a rarity as he did not score in this game. However, he still managed to rush for 178 yards, bringing his seasonal total to 1,485 yards, surpassing the school record of 1,464 held by Travis Stephens since 2001.
Now, the Volunteers await their placement in the College Football Playoff while Vanderbilt prepares to learn about its bowl destination on Dec. 8.
