Texas beat Tennessee 20-17 at Neyland Stadium, leaving the Volunteers 3-1 after their first SEC loss. Josh Heupel criticized Tennessee's line and quarterback play; the offense scored 17 points, down from its 47.7-point average entering the game.
Texas registered 10 sacks after Tennessee had allowed just three in its first three games. Edge rusher Colin Simmons had five sacks, tying Texas' single-game record; Tennessee averaged about two yards per carry. Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon left in the second quarter with an apparent shoulder injury, was checked by medical staff and returned.
Raleek Brown's 4-yard touchdown capped a 60-yard drive and gave Texas a 20-10 lead with 5:41 left. Brandon threw a touchdown pass to Mike Matthews with 1:22 remaining; Tennessee recovered the onside kick, but its final pass was batted away in the end zone. Heupel also said the second-quarter decision to go for it on fourth-and-7 from Texas' 34 was his call.
