{"id":43044,"date":"2021-12-30T21:55:21","date_gmt":"2021-12-31T02:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=43044"},"modified":"2025-09-13T15:44:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:44:22","slug":"tennessee-vs-purdue-music-city-bowl-rewind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2021\/12\/30\/tennessee-vs-purdue-music-city-bowl-rewind\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee vs Purdue Music City Bowl Rewind"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tennessee vs Purdue Music City Bowl Rewind<\/h2>\n

Tennessee vs Purdue Music City Bowl<\/h3>\n

The Music City Bowl was arguably the most entertaining game of the bowl season.\u00a0 In the end, Purdue outlasted Tennessee 48-45 in overtime.\u00a0 As could be seen, players on both sides were exhausted.\u00a0 Sadly, it\u2019s a shame that players played their hearts out and the game is decided by a poor official call in the Music City Bowl rewind.<\/p>\n

Certainly, this game had it all.\u00a0 The teams combined for 1,290 total yards.\u00a0 This included 912 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.\u00a0 At the same time, teams combined for 11 punts and four turnovers.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, Tennessee was flagged 14 times for 128 yards.\u00a0 While Purdue was penalized five times for 63 yards.<\/p>\n

Regardless of all this, The Music City bowl has been the most engaging game of the bowl season.<\/p>\n

The bowl officials announced a game record of 69,489 fans were in attendance for Thursday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n

Purdue<\/h3>\n

The Boilermakers entered this contest shorthanded.\u00a0 In spite of being handicapped, Purdue played with passion and effort.\u00a0 Despite appearances, the Boilermaker defense made many key stops in the second half.\u00a0Another key point, the defense was able to stop the Volunteers on downs on three occasions.<\/p>\n

Purdue quarterback Aidan O\u2019Connell<\/a> had a career day.\u00a0 O\u2019Connell passed for 534 yards and three touchdowns.\u00a0 Coupled with, wide receiver Broc Thompson<\/a>\u2019s seven catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns.\u00a0 This to point out, the passing game had to carry the offense. In contrast, the Boilermakers were held to just 93 yards on the ground.<\/p>\n

Tennessee<\/h3>\n

The Volunteers ran the gambit of emotions in this game.\u00a0 Not only on the scoreboard but as far as controlling the momentum.\u00a0 For one thing, early in the first half, it appeared Tennessee had taken control of the game.\u00a0 Unfortunately, mistakes and penalties kept Purdue in the game.<\/p>\n

Another key point, the officiating played a big role in this contest.\u00a0 As an illustration, Tennessee was flagged for seven interference penalties.<\/p>\n

Not to mention, on the Volunteers’ final offensive play the officials decided the game.<\/p>\n

In overtime of the Music City Bowl rewind, it was ruled that Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright<\/a>\u00a0was stopped a foot\u00a0shy of a go-ahead touchdown. Video replay appeared to show that Wright broke the plane of the goal line. Although, his knees never touched the ground.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the call on the field was upheld by instant replay.<\/p>\n

The Final Thought<\/h3>\n

In the long run, these teams provided fans with almost four hours of enjoyment.\u00a0 In fact, this game exemplified what bowl games should be about.\u00a0 All things considered, whether you are a fan of either team or not, this was college football.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, this game is about 18\u201321-year-old young men.\u00a0 It is well past time for officials to realize nobody buys a ticket to watch them.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, game officials need to let the players decide the outcome of games.<\/p>\n

In essence, if instant replay is used,\u00a0 the correct calls should be made.\u00a0 Instant replay administrators should not be retired officials.\u00a0In summary, let players make plays and decide the outcome.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>