NASHVILLE — Once 5-0 and ranked in the top 10, Tennessee stumbled to a 3-4 finish capped by Saturday night’s 45-34 loss at Vanderbilt.
The Commodores outscored the visitors 21-3 in the second half to register their third win in five years against the in-state rival Vols.
Another brutal performance by Bob Shoop’s defense and missed chances in the red zone on offense doomed Tennessee to a loss that turned the season to a disappointment, which seemed unlikely after the Vols beat Florida and Georgia in back-to-back weeks.
“We felt like – we still feel like any time we step on the field we’re the better team,” quarterback Josh Dobbs said. “Our opportunities were there. We just didn’t capitalize.”
The Vols await their bowl assignment — the Belk Bowl in Charlotte may wind up the destination — after Saturday night’s loss.