Through almost three quarters plus a lightning delay, Bowling Green refused to leave Tennessee alone. When the Vols built a 21-3 lead, the Falcons answered with 17 straight. When Tennessee scored twice more before halftime, Bowling Green opened the third quarter with an answer. And when Tennessee missed a field goal leading 42-30 with a minute to play in the third quarter, things were getting very anxious.
The Vol defense made a rare stop, forcing the Falcons to punt it away with UT taking over at their own 44 yard line, time enough for one more snap in the third quarter. And then Alvin Kamara fully introduced himself to the UT faithful, finally putting enough distance between Tennessee and Bowling Green to allow for some deep breaths.
The Vols would add 10 more points in the fourth quarter for insurance, beating what we would discover to be the MAC Champions in a wild shootout.