Missed chances to close prove costly for Vols

Tennessee's Chris Weatherd brings down Oklahoma's Alex Ross during the first half of Saturday night's game in Knoxville. Missed opportunities kept the Volunteers from securing what would have been a big win and one of their few victories over a ranked opponent in recent years. Tennessee's Chris Weatherd brings down Oklahoma's Alex Ross during the first half of Saturday night's game in Knoxville. Missed opportunities kept the Volunteers from securing what would have been a big win and one of their few victories over a ranked opponent in recent years.

By Patrick Brown September 14, 2015 6 min read

LOST LEADS

Prior to Saturday’s 31-24 double-overtime loss to Oklahoma, Tennessee had blown a lead of 17 or more points only twice in program history. Here are the five largest leads the Volunteers have coughed up in a game they did not win.* 21 points vs. Maryland (1984 Sun Bowl): The Vols led 21-0 at halftime before the Terrapins scored 22 straight points in the third quarter and won on Rick Badjanek’s touchdown 1-yard touchdown run with 2:28 left.* 19 points at Auburn (1990): No. 5 Tennessee led 19-0 in the second quarter and 26-9 in the fourth against No. 3 Auburn until Stan White rallied the Tigers and threw the tying touchdown pass to Greg Taylor with 1:56 left in the 26-26 tie.* 17 points vs. Oklahoma (2015): The Sooners scored two touchdowns in the final 10 minutes after sputtering on offense all game and denied the Vols a key early-season win in two overtimes.* 16 points vs. UCLA (1985): Tony Robinson and Tim McGee led unranked Tennessee to a 26-10 fourth-quarter lead against the 10th-ranked Bruins, but backup quarterback David Norrie guided UCLA back with a pair of touchdown passes and two-point conversions in the 26-all tie.* 16 points at Florida (1995): No. 8 Tennessee led 30-14 late in the second quarter after Raymond Austin returned a fumble for a touchdown, but Danny Wuerffel tossed six touchdowns passes — four to Ike Hilliard — as the No. 4 Gators turned the game into a 62-37 rout.* Patrick Brown

Photo Gallery

Vols-OU

UT's Jalen Hurd (1) stiff arm's Oklahoma's Zack Sanchez (15) to gain yardage during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

UT freshman James Mainland intensely watches his team play Oklahoma during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

UT's Todd Kelly Jr. (6) intercepts the ball intended for Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

UT's Johnathon Johnson (81) is knocked out of bounds by Oklahoma's Ahmad Thomas (13) during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

UT wide receiver Logan Fetzner (87) gets knocked out of bounds just outside of the end zone by Oklahoma's Ahmad Thomas (13) and Zack Sanchez (15) during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

UT's Aaron Medley (25) puts three points on the scoreboard while playing against Oklahoma during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) hands off to Samaje Perine (32) while playing UT during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

UT's sideline gets excited as Oklahoma's Durron Neal (5) drops fails to complete a pass during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

UT's Josh Malone (3) completes a pass to score a touchdown against Oklahoma during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

UT's Josh Malone (3) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Pig Howard (2) while playing against Oklahoma during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

UT's Trevor Daniel (93) kicks the ball to Oklahoma during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield looks for an open player while battling UT during the first half of play Saturday. The Volunteers played the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

A military aircraft flies over as the Volunteers prepare to play the Sooner's at home on September 12, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sunday rewind: Oklahoma 31, Vols 24UT fans must wait again for statement win Vols lose 17-0 lead, fall 31-24 in OT to Oklahoma Wiedmer: A finish to drive UT fans crazy with hurt Early field goal instead of 1-yard TD haunts Vols ‘Lack of execution’ on offense dooms Vols Vols fall in double OT thriller, 31-24

KNOXVILLE – Tennessee learned a hard lesson about the importance of closing out football games on Saturday.

The Volunteers failed to capitalize on multiple opportunities to put Oklahoma away in the second half, and the Sooners made them pay by rallying to a 31-24 double-overtime win.

The inability to close the game out only made the fashion of the season’s first loss harder to swallow for Tennessee.