The echoes of “Rocky Top” reverberated through the hostile confines of Ohio Stadium on Saturday night, as an estimated 30,000 Tennessee Volunteer fans made the pilgrimage to Columbus for their team’s first College Football Playoff appearance in over two decades. However, the Buckeyes quickly silenced the boisterous invaders, jumping out to a 21-0 first quarter lead en route to a decisive 42-17 victory over the overwhelmed Vols.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel shouldered the blame for the lackluster performance, expressing his disappointment in failing to reward the program’s long-suffering supporters. “I’m disappointed for them, disappointed for our team, and everything we put into it since last January, that we didn’t coach and play better in this one early,” Heupel lamented in the aftermath of the resounding defeat.
Vols Outclassed in Every Facet
From the opening whistle, it was evident that the Volunteers were out of their depth against the seasoned Buckeyes. Ohio State outgained Tennessee 205 to 16 yards in a lopsided first quarter, as highly-touted quarterback Nico Iamaleava struggled to find his footing. The true freshman went 0-for-5 passing in the opening stanza, constantly harassed by a relentless Buckeye pass rush.
“We’ve been putting in work since January to get to this point, and it sucks to go out that way because that’s not who we are, man,” a dejected Iamaleava reflected post-game. The young signal caller’s final stat line—14-of-31 for 104 yards and four sacks—underscored the Vols’ offensive futility.
Injuries Hamper Already Overmatched Squad
Tennessee’s uphill battle was exacerbated by a rash of injuries to key playmakers. SEC Offensive Player of the Year Dylan Sampson, still recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in the regular season finale, managed just two carries before aggravating the ailment. Wide receivers Dont’e Thornton and Squirrel White also exited early, further depleting an already sputtering aerial attack.
At the end of the day, man, whoever’s out there, whether it’s a freshman or not, we’ve got to be able to execute the same way with those guys or not, and we didn’t do a good job of that tonight.
Nico Iamaleava on the impact of injuries
Heupel Era Success Raises Expectations
The deflating defeat notwithstanding, it’s impossible to ignore the progress Tennessee has made under Josh Heupel’s stewardship. Since his arrival in 2021, the Vols have posted three consecutive nine-win seasons, toppled rivals Alabama and Florida, and savored an Orange Bowl triumph over Clemson. However, with success comes escalating expectations, and Heupel recognizes the need for his program to take the next step.
- 10 wins in 2022
- 11 wins & Orange Bowl Champions in 2023
- 10 wins & first CFP berth in 2024
“There’s a standard inside of our building and we’re going to continue to grow,” Heupel affirmed, alluding to the Vols’ #6 final ranking in 2023. As the sting of this setback subsides, Tennessee will look to regroup and mount another title challenge in 2025. The unwavering support of their fervent fan base, as evidenced by their awe-inspiring turnout in Columbus, should serve as motivation to ensure that future playoff appearances end on a far sweeter note.
