No. 8 Volunteers Overcome Slow Start, Clinch Playoff Spot

©Stephanie Amador/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Running back Dylan Sampson and quarterback Nico Iamaleava helped lead the No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) back from an early 17-7 deficit to defeat the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-6, 3-5) 36-23 to close out their season and clinch a College Football Playoff berth. Iamaleava completed 18-of-26 passes for 257 yards and 4 touchdowns to go along with an interception. Sampson had 25 carries for 178 yards in the victory.

Game Summary

This one actually started quite well for the Commodores as wide receiver Junior Sherrill took the opening kickoff 100 yards to the house for a touchdown. The Commodores were up 7-0 right away and were looking strong.

On the ensuing drive, Sampson fumbled the ball away and the Commodores immediately took advantage. The Commodores went 7 plays, 26 yards as running back Sedrick Alexander ran it in from 4 yards out and it was quickly 14-0 Commodores.

But the Volunteers quickly had the answer as Iamaleava found wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. from 28 yards out for the touchdown and it was 14-7 Commodores.

The Commodores scored again on their next drive as they got to the Volunteers 14-yard line and settled for a 32-yard field goal from kicker Brock Taylor and it was 17-7 Commodores.

Fast forward middle second quarter, the Volunteers got a 52-yard field goal from kicker Max Gilbert and it was 17-10.

After the Commodores went three-and-out on their next drive, Iamaleava found Thornton wide open for the 86-yard touchdown and it was tied 17-17.

The Volunteers next drive consisted of 10 plays, 96 yards as Iamaleava found tight end Miles Kitselman from 18 yards out for the touchdown and the Volunteers led 24-17 going into the half.

Iamaleava found wide receiver Mike Matthews from 14 yards out for the touchdown on the Volunteers first drive of the second half to make it 31-17, and the Volunteers never looked back from there.

Turning Point: Volunteers

The true turning point in this game was the Volunteers very long touchdown drive as the Commodores never recovered and the Volunteers just kept adding on.

What It Means for Each Team

For the Volunteers, they had to have this one to secure their spot in the College Football Playoff and they did just that. They had to recover from a slow start but did their job and made sure they won a must-win game. They now await their fate and seeding in the CFP after next weekend's conference title games conclude.

For the Commodores, they thought they had this one in the bag with a 14-0 and 17-7 lead, but slowly watched it slip away, and their defense was gassed. They also await the conference title games to be over to see if they make a bowl game or not.