Nine years to the day after Appalachian State pulled off one of the biggest road upsets in college football history at Michigan, the Mountaineers fell just short of another road stunner.
Tennessee escaped Appalachian State 20-13 in overtime Thursday.
Volunteers quarterback Josh Dobbs fumbled a diving attempt at an overtime touchdown that was recovered in the end zone by running back Jalen Hurd for a 20-13 overtime lead, and Tennessee's defense held on against Appalachian State's overtime possession to avoid the shocker.
Tennessee entered the game ranked No. 9 in the nation in the Associated Press preseason poll.
Hurd carried 28 times for 110 yards and the Tennessee defense allowed just 108 passing yards to key the win. One of the game's top draft prospects, Tennessee CB Cam Sutton, made a diving interception.
Appalachian State jumped out to a 13-3 halftime lead following two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground, by quarterback Taylor Lamb. A missed extra-point attempt followed by a fourth quarter field goal that went wide right from freshman kicker Michael Rubino loomed large for the Mountaineers. Poor clock management at the end of regulation also was a killer for the team's upset bid.
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