The Tennessee Volunteers (7-6, 4-4) came into the Music City Bowl matchup with the Purdue Boilermakers (9-4, 6-3) looking to put a stamp on what was considered by many to be a very strong first season under head coach Josh Heupel.
But the Boilermakers ruined the party despite missing several key starters and three interceptions from Aidan O’Connell. Purdue also overcame a 21-7 first quarter deficit by scoring 16 unanswered points in the second quarter, which were the catalyst to Purdue’s 23-21 halftime lead.
There were plenty of bright spots for the Vols: Hendon Hooker threw five touchdowns, Jabari Small ran for 180 yards and a touchdown, and Cedric Tillman caught three touchdowns.