Tennessee averts disaster with 20-13 overtime win in opener

UT fans celebrate the overtime win against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium. — UT fans celebrate the overtime win against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium. UT fans celebrate the overtime win against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

By Patrick Brown September 2, 2016 4 min read

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Vols avert disaster with 20-13 overtime win in opener

The flag carrier leads the way during the Vol Walk Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 outside of Neyland Stadium before the game against Appalachian State.

Coach Butch Jones is escorted in during the Vol Walk Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 outside of Neyland Stadium before the game against Appalachian State.

Kids watch players arrive during the Vol Walk Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 outside of Neyland Stadium before the game against Appalachian State.

Players walk past fans during the Vol Walk Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 outside of Neyland Stadium before the game against Appalachian State.

UT's Justin Martin (8) tackles Appalachian State's Jaquil Capel (16) Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Neyland Stadium.

UT coach Butch Jones talks to an official during the game against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT's Jalen Reeves-Maybin (21) waits with Derek Barnett to hear his fate after a targeting call against him in the game against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

Officials discuss a targeting call against UT's Jalen Reeves-Maybin in the game against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT's Jalen Reeves-Maybin, right, talks with coach Butch Jones while waiting on the decision about a targeting call against him in the game against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT fans call BS after a targeting call led to the ejection of player Jalen Reeves-Maybin in the game against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT's Micah Abernathy tackles Appalachian State's Jayaln Barbour Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT's Josh Malone (3) is tackled by Appalachian State's Mondo Williams (4) Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT's Jalen Hurd is tackled by Appalachian State's Appalachian State defensive back Desmond Franklin (34) Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT's Preston Williams is tackled by Appalachian State's Appalachian State defensive back Clifton Duck (22) Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

Appalachian State fans cheer as their team holds the lead as the first half draws to an end Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT's Josh Smith (25) tackles Appalachian State's Mondo Williams (4) after Williams intercepted a ball meant for Smith Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT's Josh Malone carries in a touchdown pass as Appalachian State's Clifton Duck (22) tries to bring him down Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT's Coleman Thomas (55) congratulates receiver Josh Malone after he scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT quarterback Joshua Dobbs carries toward the goal line in overtime, but fumbles the ball. It was recovered by Jalen Hurd, who scored the winning touchdown in the gam against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT quarterback Joshua Dobbs carries toward the goal line in overtime, but fumbles the ball. It was recovered by Jalen Hurd, who scored the winning touchdown in the gam against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT players celebrate their overtime win against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT players celebrate their overtime win against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

UT fans celebrate the overtime win against Appalachian State Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Neyland Stadium.

Cheerleaders interact with the crowd before the Vol Walk Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 outside of Neyland Stadium before the game against Appalachian State.

KNOXVILLE – Tennessee used up a season’s worth of luck to grab a season-opening win it probably didn’t deserve.

The Volunteers will take a 1-0 start, though.

Running back Jalen Hurd recovered quarterback Josh Dobbs’ fumble in the end zone for what turned out to be the winning score as Tennessee battled back from a 10-point deficit and won 20-13 in overtime against Appalachian State at Neyland Stadium on Thursday night.

“At the end of the day we won the ballgame,” Dobbs said, “and we’ll go back and watch the film and see how we can improve going on to next week.”