For a number of Vol Nation football enthusiasts, the annual meeting with Vanderbilt is the biggest game of the year. Though Tennessee has dominated the in state series which dates back to 1892, Vanderbilt had won six of the previous ten contests, including the game in the pandemic shortened season of 2020. In the present resurgent season, the Vols were heavily favored, and hoped to secure a victory and a winning season in Coach Josh Heupel’s first year.

Playing on Senior Day before an announced crowd of 77,000 on a chilly November afternoon/evening at Neyland Stadium, the Big Orange defeated the Commodores 45-21, and now await a bowl bid with a 7-5 season record. Vanderbilt’s initial season under its first year coach Clark Lea ended with a disappointing 2-10 mark.

Senior Starback Theo Jackson made the best of his Senior Day by starting the scoring with a 55 yard interception return of a Mike Wright pass for a 7-0 lead. Thereafter, though movement was afoot, neither offense tallied again until Jabari Small’s 6 yard run with nine minutes remaining in the second quarter, putting the Vols up 14-0. A 24 yard touchdown toss from Hendon Hooker to Cedric Tillman and a Chase McGrath 31 yard field goal increased the lead to 24-0, and the predicted rout was seemingly on.

In these Vandy-Tennessee contests, inspired play is the norm, and nothing should be taken for granted. The Commodores seized the halftime momentum, scoring with one second left on the clock on a 56 yard heave from Wright to Will Sheppard, and Alabama transfer Joseph Bulovas’ extra point made the margin 24-7 at the break.

Following the Halftime Sunset, Vandy appeared rejuvenated by their Hail Mary pitch and catch, absorbing the blow of another Hooker-Tillman TD with one of their own on a 13 yard Rocko Griffin run. Nevertheless, Tennessee was able to counter with DJ Stirl the Pearl Henton rallying the depleted UT student section to keep the home team enthusiasm alive. The Vols did not disappoint with Small scoring his second rushing TD to end the third stanza with a 38-13 lead.

This game was Vandy’s bowl game and they never gave up, cutting the margin to 17 early in the fourth quarter on a four yard Wright run and nifty two point conversion catch by Chris Pierce, Jr., in the back of the end zone. Tennessee was able to find the end zone one more time after Hooker left the game due to an injury, with Jaylen Wright running for ten yards and the final 24 point victory.

Hooker’s injury proved to be a nasty hand cut from an opposing player’s helmet, and will not affect his near future. His overall future at Tennessee, however, is an overarching question the entire program. The 24 year old enjoyed a record setting year, and is projected early as a fourth or fifth round NFL pick. With another year In Heupel’s offense, Hooker could ride a trajectory much like Pitt QB Kenny Pickett, who has used his fifth year to gain a first round status in the most recent mock drafts and a potential ACC championship. Millions of dollars also ride with these life decisions.

An emerging star who could also return is Tillman, who had yet another 100 yard receiving day and two touchdown catches. Heupel said that Tillman “has the chance to be an extremely dominant football player next year. A guy that has a chance to do some really special things and help this program win.” Obviously, the Tennessee program would prosper greatly if these two talents returned for another season. Having back the twin 100 yard rushers from the Vandy game - Wright and Small - will help too, along with leading tackler Jeremy Banks.

For now, the players will regroup after finals for bowl preparation, which Heupel deemed as crucial for the development of the program. Historically, a 7-5 team at Tennessee would be a disappointment. This year, the way the record was accomplished - an aggressive defense, an up tempo offense and an overachieving group of players - offers room for excitement, not disdain. One year after a loss to Vandy made for gloom, this year’s win harbors a positive portend for a return to traditional Vols’ greatness.