I’m sure that wasn’t the way that Josh Heupel drew it up, but he’ll take it.

Tennessee squeaked out a defensive-fueled, 20-13 victory against A&M to keep its division title hopes alive. One offensive touchdown was all that was needed for the Vols to hand the Aggies their third loss of the season.

Here are 3 takeaways from the Vols’ victory on Saturday:

1. That was extremely atypical for a Josh Heupel win

In every way, it was unique. Entering Saturday, Tennessee was 0-6 when scoring fewer than 30 points under Heupel. In fact, including his 0-3 mark in those situations at UCF, Heupel was 0-9 as a head coach when scoring fewer than 30 points.

The Vols had never won a game when trailing at the half under Heupel, either. They were 0-9 in those spots. At least, they were until Saturday.

The 38 first-half passing yards by Joe Milton were the fewest ever by a Heupel team, too. It was a day to forget for Joe Milton. He threw an interception in the end zone while the Vols were clinging to a 14-13 lead.

But the good news for Tennessee? The running game did enough, and Tim Banks’ defense stepped up when it needed to when the game was on the line. Max Johnson was pressured all day, and he was forced into a late interception that halted A&M’s potential go-ahead drive.

Go figure that the defense and a punt return touchdown by Dee Williams proved to be the difference for Tennessee.

2. A&M’s emerging defense had a brutal day on the injury front

That A&M defense was really starting to click under DJ Durkin. Yes, even after the rough finish against Alabama. That front 7 has been living in backfields. Hence, why the Aggies led the nation in sacks and tackles for loss.

But on Saturday, Albert Regis, Edgerrin Cooper and Walter Nolen all left the game with injuries. Nolen was actually carted off back in his home state of Tennessee.

It was a crushing development for a group that once again, did enough to win. Jimbo Fisher will have a lengthy injury report to update. The good news for A&M is that it’ll have a bye week to get healthy.

3. That was a division elimination game

Just in case there was any doubt, that’s all she wrote on A&M’s division title hopes. The fact that Alabama won earlier to improve to 4-0 in SEC play all but confirmed that. The Aggies needed to somehow pull out a win to keep those slim chances alive.

As for Tennessee, Saturday’s victory meant that it’ll still have a chance to make that happen. Of course, the Georgia game looms. Clearly, the Vols offense has plenty to clean up.

But life can be worse than keeping East hopes alive and extending a home winning streak to 13 games.