KNOXVILLE — Of all the things this University of Tennessee football team is not — sharp coming off a bye week, consistent enough on offense to finish promising first-half drives or put opponents away when they’ve got them teetering on the ropes — the most important attribute it has showcased time and again this season is the ability to come up with a clutch play when it’s needed most.
With the glaring exception of falling flat in the road loss at Arkansas a month ago, which becomes tougher to comprehend with each passing week, every time the 2024 Volunteers have faced dramatic moments where their playoff hopes have been pushed to the edge, they have found a way to take a giant step back from the abyss.
Saturday night, with another rowdy crowd filling Neyland Stadium hoping to finally experience the offensive explosion it has awaited since Southeastern Conference play began, seventh-ranked Tennessee once again did just enough right to overcome a frustrating list of wrongs and turn back stubborn Kentucky.
For all its warts, which continue to show up mostly on offense — starting the game by driving into Wildcats territory on their first seven possessions, but scoring only once, including just 1-of-4 in red-zone chances with an early turnover inside the opponent’s 25-yard line for a third straight week — Tennessee does not shy away from big moments late.
“It’s never going to be perfect,” Vols boss Josh Heupel said after his team survived the Wildcats 28-18. “Every week is its own season. You’ve got to be good enough to go win that day.