Well … that was an interesting night of football.

I’ve covered Tennessee for over 20 years and attended a bunch of games at Neyland Stadium and can honestly say that I don’t recall anything close to what I experienced while watching the Vols host Ole Miss. There were twists and turns aplenty, and enough drama to fill an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

I attended the game with my girlfriend Michelle and her friend Karen. We parked about a mile from the stadium and made the longish walk to the tailgate. What stood out to me on the walk (other than the dude on a street corner playing “Rocky Top” on the bagpipes), was the absolute sea of humanity.

Tailgating spots, like tickets to the game itself, were at a premium. Some UT students were carrying their cases of Truly, and others were hiding their beverages in orange Solo cups, and they weren’t alone. The Kappa Sigmas had a mechanical bull set up outside their house. One loft apartment unfurled a banner which stated words about Ole Miss that a gentleman like myself would not discuss. The restaurants and bars along Cumberland Avenue were doing a brisk business.

You could tell that this wasn’t going to be your average night.

It was still 4 hours to kickoff and people were everywhere. On our walk I bumped into a couple of friends I probably haven’t seen in close to a decade. It was that kind of game, the kind of game that everyone really wanted to attend.

Scalpers were all over the place and it was absolutely a seller’s market. One scalper I talked to said he could sell tickets at 3 times the face value.

There hadn’t been a game like this at Tennessee since the 2016 Florida contest. Vols fans were hoping that the result would be the same as that September afternoon 5 years ago.

The “Checkered Neyland” layout was a picture perfect postcard and Tennessee fans did a terrific job finding their section while wearing their best orange or white clothing.

The stands were filled at kickoff and it was loud. Really loud.

During the week in Knoxville, a lot of people anticipated that Vols fans would bring the same type of sustained Tennessee fan noise that was such a huge part of the 2015 Oklahoma game. That game is on the short list of loudest games ever at Neyland. The 2021 Ole Miss game didn’t match that game from 6 years ago, but Vols fans were doing all they could the push their team over the finish time.

The game got off to a terrific start for Tennessee, as the defense force Ole Miss to punt, but a fumble by normally sure-handed Velus Jones, Jr. gave the Rebels a short field. Ole Miss took advantage of the mistake and took a 7-0 lead.

Near the end of the first half, with Tennessee trailing 24-9, Lane Kiffin went full Jeremy Pruitt, calling 3 consecutive timeouts in an attempt to ice Vols kicker Chase McGrath. Pruitt did a similar maneuver in the 2019 Alabama game, and got more boos with each TO. Pruitt’s move paid off with a missed FG. Kiffin’s didn’t as McGrath brought the Vols within 12 points.

This was an angry crowd. What got fans angriest were stoppages while the Vols offense had the football. Time and time again, Rebels players went down with either injuries or cramps, slowing the Vols offense. If this was a concerted effort by Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin to affect Tennessee’s pace, it worked.

As you know, the game ended with controversy. Fans pelted the Ole Miss sideline with garbage following a questionable spot on 4th and 24, when officials ruled the VOls were just short of a first down late in the game. The UT band and cheerleaders had to be evacuated.

Overall, fans were upset with some calls, upset with some “injuries” and upset that Tennessee’s last ditch effort was not to be.

Earlier in the day, former Tennessee running back Gerald Riggs Jr. tweeted that because of the night game, the return of Lane Kiffin, all day tailgating and beer being sold at Neyland Stadium, that parents should rethink any idea of bringing young children to the game.

Boy was he right.

It’s late. I’m very tired. If you didn’t like this article please don’t hit me with a golf ball.