OK, that Tennessee/Pittsburgh game was not the most well-played contest of all time, and I’m sure that Vols fans especially bit through every fingernail.

But it was entertaining as all get out.

After the game Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was probably the happiest person in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, not because of the way his team played, but because of how they competed for 60 minutes and beyond.

Here are 3 things that I liked about Tennessee’s 34-27 overtime victory at Pittsburgh, and 3 things that I didn’t like.

3 things I liked

Tennessee didn’t panic

In previous regimes, if Tennessee got knocked down early, they wouldn’t have gotten back up. On this day, Pittsburgh jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first few minutes and was driving for another score when the Vols defense stood up.

Trevon Flowers’ interception in the back of the end zone in the first quarter stopped the Panthers momentum in time for the Vols to get their footing.

And after turnovers (more on those in a bit), special teams blunders and allowing 4th-down conversions kept the home team in the game, the Vols still found a way to win.

Last season the Vols lost games against these same Panthers, Ole Miss and Purdue that they had the opportunity to win if they made a play or two during crunch time.

At least in this case, the Vols fought through adversity to prevail.

Defense saves the day

I think we all expected the Vols defense to save the offense’s bacon time and time again, yes? (Cricket sounds)

Early in the 2nd quarter, Pittsburgh was on top, 17-7. The Vols defense didn’t allow another point for nearly 30 game minutes.

In the 2nd half, Tennessee’s high-powered offense was stagnant. The Vols special teams allowed a blocked punt and fumbled a punt. The offense had a fumble. Yet the defense kept the Vols in the game.

And on 4th-and-goal from the 21, did defensive coordinator Tim Banks go conservative and rush only three? No. Banks blitzed with 6 defenders. Pittsburgh backup quarterback Nick Patti (only playing because Tennessee knocked out starter Kedon Slovis) never had a chance, throwing an incompletion on a pass that never reached the end zone.

Last year the Vols defense ranked 99th in the nation. It appears they’ll be much better in 2022.

Tillman earns top billing

Yes, I know that Tennessee’s No. 1 wide receiver had a couple of drops. But he also had 9 catches for 162 yards and what would prove to be the game-winning score on a 28-yard touchdown catch in overtime.

When Velus Jones Jr. left for the NFL, it was reasonable to wonder how Tillman would deal with getting tons of attention from opposing defenses.

Not bad.

3 things I didn’t like

Lack of halftime adjustments

One of the biggest criticisms of the Vols during the Butch Jones era was how Tennessee did not recognize the way teams played them differently in the 2nd half.

So many times, the Vols would fail to adjust, allowing opponents to pick them apart.

Tennessee’s offense still came up with 416 yards on Saturday, but the inability to move the ball in the 2nd half nearly cost them the game.

What worked in the 2nd quarter hardly ever worked after intermission.

Too many major mistakes

Pittsburgh was trying to give the Vols the game in the 2nd half … but the Vols refused to take it.

Midway through the 3rd quarter, with the Vols up 24-17, a blocked punt set the Panthers up at the Tennessee 19. The defense held, and Pittsburgh missed a FG.

On Tennessee’s next drive, Jaylen Wright fumbled, and the Panthers began a drive at the UT 44. The Vols defense held again, only allowing a field goal.

Midway through the 4th quarter, Trevon Flowers didn’t call for a fair catch. The Panthers recovered that fumble at the Tennessee 39 and drove for a game-tying TD.

Against better teams, Tennessee won’t be able to withstand those errors and win.

Allowing big plays

This is nitpicking a bit considering how well the Tennessee defense played overall. But there were defensive busts early in the contest.

The 1st quarter saw Tennessee give up a 76-yard TD run to Israel Abanikanda. In the 2nd quarter, Gavin Bartholomew raced 57 yards down the sideline, hurdling a Tennessee defender on his way to a score.

Those plays gave Pittsburgh a major jolt. Fortunately for the Vols, they were isolated incidents.