Written by Robby Kalland at CBSSports.com
Tennessee will say a win is a win, which is technically true. The SEC East favorites walked away from Week 1 with a 1-0 record, but the Vols were far from impressive at home in their 20-13 overtime win over Appalachian State on Thursday night.
Despite being a 21-point underdog at kickoff, Appalachian State probably won’t be looking at Thursday night as a moral victory after letting a win slip through their grasp by way of kicking miscues, clock management issues and some fumble luck going the way of the Vols.
Appalachian State’s misfortune started when the Mountaineers missed an extra point after taking a two-score lead on the Vols to start the second quarter.
As the kick faded wide right, there was a feeling that point would matter. We’ve seen too many times those when those little moments early in a game come back to haunt teams, and sure enough, that point was the difference between a win and the game going to overtime.
Appalachian State was up 13-0, and despite Tennessee’s lack of offensive execution, the Vols were able to climb back into the game with a long touchdown pass — a rare moment of explosiveness — and a field goal, rather than needing to press for a two-point conversion or another score at some point.
While Tennessee scrapped back into the game, the Mountaineers failed to capitalize on opportunities.
Four of Appalachian State’s five second half drives ended in Tennessee territory, but they failed to score any points. There’s certainly credit to be given to the Vols’ defense for its role in stopping the Mountaineers, especially Cameron Sutton’s phenomenal read that led to his interception on the first Appalachian State drive of the second half.
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