Skip to main content
Mississippi State

RECAP: Tennessee rips Bulldogs' hearts out in 41-34 overtime loss

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk09/28/25RobbieFaulkOn3
brenen thompson10
Photo by Jared Thomas, Maroon and White Daily

Another magical night was there for the taking for Mississippi State inside Davis Wade Stadium.

As the lights came on and the sun set in the middle of the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs were leading by a touchdown against No. 15 Tennessee, trying to close things out. In the end, the Volunteers made the plays to go win the game.

A touchdown on the first play of overtime and a UT stop inside the 5 yard line on fourth down would doom the Bulldogs to a 41-34 loss.

The Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) trailed 34-27 after Zakari Tillman’s interception was followed up by a 2-yard touchdown from Seydou Traore. A 13-play, 75-yard drive from the Volunteers would tie things up with under 2 minutes remaining to force overtime.

After a DeSean Bishop 25-yard score in overtime, the Vols got a stop inside the 5 to finish off the win.

After being held down for the better part of three quarters, the Vols would accumulate 466 yards of total offense in the game as Joey Aguilar finished 24 of 40 for 335 yards, one touchdown and two interception. UT rushed for 131 yards on 32 carries with Bishop carrying 11 times for 72 yards and the overtime score.

UT had 100 yards receiving from Mike Matthews (six catches, 118 yard) and Chris Brazzell II (six catches, 105 yards one touchdown). The defense sacked Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen five times and had 11.0 tackles for loss while turning in two defensive touchdowns on an interception and fumble return.

For the Bulldogs (4-1, 0-1 SEC), it was a solid offensive output as Shapen led the team to 378 yards and was 18 of 29 for 180 yards passing, one touchdown and an interception. State rushed for 198 yards led by Fluff Bothwell’s 23 carries, 134 yards and two touchdowns.

Davon Booth had 17 carries for 58 yards and a score.

Both teams had six penalties each with the Bulldogs have 71 yards of penalties and UT with 60.

State had 10 tackles from Branden Jennings while Tillman had six tackles, 2.0 TFL and an interception while Jahron Manning had an interception and three pass breakups. The Bulldogs limped to the finish line with safeties Isaac Smith and Brylan Lanier and starting right tackle Albert Reese all leaving the game with injuries.

The Bulldogs will try to rebound next week when they travel to College Station, Texas to take on No. 9 Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0 SEC) next Saturday.

You may also like