No. 15 Tennessee needed every bit of an advantage in a 41-34 overtime victory at Mississippi State. In a game that swung dramatically in the final minutes before being decided on the first snap of the extra session, the Vols outlast the Bulldogs.
The Volunteers trailed 34-27 with less than eight minutes remaining after Zakari Tillman’s interception set up Seydou Traore’s short touchdown run. From there, Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar put together a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped by his 6-yard touchdown run with 1:55 left. It was the score forced overtime.
In the extra frame, Vols running back DeSean Bishop wasted no time, breaking free for a 25-yard touchdown run the opening play. The Tennessee defense followed by holding Mississippi State on downs inside the 5-yard line to seal the win.
Tennessee finished with 466 yards of total offense, much of it coming late after a sluggish start. Aguilar threw for 335 yards on 24-of-40 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. Heupel praised his quarterback’s composure, noting that he "showed up at the end.”
Bishop carried the ball 11 times for 72 yards, including the decisive run. Wideouts Mike Matthews (118 yards) and Chris Brazzell II (105 yards, one touchdown) gave Aguilar a much-needed spark.
Tennessee’s defensive front disrupted Bulldog quarterback Blake Shapen with five sacks and 11 tackles for loss, while also producing two defensive scores on returns. Mississippi State countered with a strong ground game behind Fluff Bothwell, who ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Shapen threw for 180 yards and a score but also tossed a costly interception.
For Tennessee, the result keeps postseason hopes intact following an overtime loss to Georgia two weeks ago. Mississippi State missed an opportunity to notch a second top-15 win after shocking Arizona State.
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