After a fast start in the first quarter, Tennessee finds itself trailing Pittsburgh, 27-20, at halftime of the Johnny Majors Classic.
Pittsburgh’s lead comes after a 2-yard scoring plunge by the Panthers’ Vincent Davis with 19 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
The Volunteers opened things on a high note as Christian Charles blocked a Pittsburgh punt, setting up the Big Orange’s first score, a 2-yard run by Jabari Small.
The Vols extended their advantage to 10-0 on a 37-yard field goal with 4 minutes, 42 seconds left in the opening frame.
The Panthers pulled to within 10-7 early in the second quarter when Kenny Pickett threw an 11-yard scoring strike.
Tennessee and McGrath answered as the Vols made it 13-7 with 11:16 to go in the second frame.
Pittsburgh took the lead on a halfback option pass from Jared Wayne to Lucas Krull and two field goals by Sam Scranton to make it 20-13.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker, who replaced starter Joe Milton, threw a game-tying 44-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Calloway.
Joe Milton injury update per the ESPN broadcast: Lower left extremity. Hendon Hooker for foreseeable future today. #Vols
— Kellyanne Stitts (@KellyanneStitts) September 11, 2021
The Vols get the ball to start the second half.
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