Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar stood in the pocket, looked to his left and was clobbered by blitzing Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke.

Aguilar fumbled, defensive tackle Mason Thomas scooped up the ball, dragged tight end Miles Kitselman some 25 yards, and limped across the goal line with a pulled hamstring for the longest fumble recovery return in OU history: 71 yards.

In a game of big plays, none was bigger.

Tennessee had scored on its first possession and was threatening again, at the Sooner 24.

But the strip-sack fumble and ensuing touchdown tied the game, 7-7.

If a outcome can turn on one play in the first seven minutes, this was it. Had Tennessee taken a double digit lead, no telling how Oklahoma would have reacted on the road against a hostile crowd. Remember, OU hadn’t won a road game against a ranked opponent since 2019.

But that one play drastically changed the momentum of the game and helped propel No. 18 Oklahoma (7-2, 3-2 SEC) to a 33-27 upset at No. 14 Tennessee (6-3, 3-3 SEC) before a sellout crowd at Neyland Stadium on a Dark Mode night.

Early in the second quarter with the Vols up 10-7, UT had outgained OU 220 yards to 34, had run 38 plays to 10 and had 13 first downs to two.

So why wasn’t Tennessee ahead by more?

Answer: The fumble recovery return for a touchdown.

(Jimmy’s blog is brought to you by Matlock Tires, a full-service tire center that offers top-quality tire brands, expert service and installation. Matlock Tires has 5 convenient locations to serve you. That’s where I go to get my tires and oil changes.)

Oklahoma then drove for a tying field goal as Tate Sandell hit from 55 yards – one of three makes from outside 50 yards. Oklahoma was guilty of offensive holding on the previous play but Vols coach Josh Heupel declined the infraction.

Had UT accepted the penalty, OU would have faced third-and-17 from the UT 45. Considering how poorly the Sooners passing game was to that point, it’s unlikely they would have gained the line to gain – or even 8 yards to put the ball back at the 37.

Heupel took the play – a 2-yard loss – that put the ball on the 37, just close enough for Sandell to hit from long range.

It’s hard to say Heupel’s decision was wrong, but Sandell hadn’t miss from 50+ yards this season and he’d made 16 field goals in a row.

Heupel’s decision was questionable, but not outside the box.

(Jimmy’s blog is brought to you by Marcos Garza Law Firm, attorneys that care about their clients. You want a local, proven, quality attorney in your corner. Led Marcos Garza help you. Learn more at Garzalaw.com)

Here are four other takeaways from Oklahoma’s victory.

1.  Fourth-down Call Well Designed

With eight minutes left in the game, trailing 26-17, Tennessee faced fourth-and-1 at the OU 37.

Rather than punt or try a 55-yard field goal, Heupel rolled the dice. He called a play-action pass to an H-back who leaked out of the backfield and was wide open.

The only problem: Freshman tight end Jack Van Dorselaer had the ball bounce off his face mask for what would have been an easy-peasy first down.

I had no problem with the play call. It was well designed and the receiver was open.

I did have a problem with the intended target. Dorselaer had two catches all season. He was a seldom used player put in a clutch moment at a crucial time. He didn’t turn around quickly enough to make the catch. He shouldn’t have been put in that situation.

The pass should have gone to Ethan Davis or Kitselman. They are veterans. They’re used to big moments in big games. I’m confident either would have made the catch.

A UT first down at that time could have led to a touchdown and a different outcome.

(Jimmy’s blog is brought to you by Marcos Garza Law Firm, attorneys that care about their clients. You want a local, proven, quality attorney in your corner. Led Marcos Garza help you. Learn more at Garzalaw.com)

2.  Don’t Blame UT Defense

Tennessee’s defense has been much maligned this year. For good reason. The Vols rank last or next-to-last in the SEC several major categories.

But the defense wasn’t the reason Tennessee fell to Oklahoma.

In fact, the defense played arguably its best games of the season against good competition. It held the Sooners to 159 passing yards and 351 total yards. It allowed two touchdown drives of 52 and 44 yards. And 13 of the Sooners 33 points were set up by UT turnovers.

“We tackled better because we came in with a chip on our shoulder because everybody was telling us that we can’t tackle,’’ said safety Endrees Farooq, who forced and recovered a fumble at the 10-yard line after a long OU drive.

The defense also got an interception from linebacker Edwin Spillman with 4:18 left to set up a Tennessee touchdown that cut the gap to 26-24.

“The defense went out there and did what they had to do,’’ Aguilar said.

Tennessee’s offense didn’t.

3.  Vols struggled to run against Sooners

Tennessee had its worse rushing performance of the season against Oklahoma.

The Sooners were allowing an SEC-best 84.9 rush yards per game. Some argued that was against inferior competition. That narrative was dispelled Saturday night.

Tennessee rushed for just 63 yards on 35 carries, or 1.8 yards per attempt. UT’s running backs had 69 yards on 24 runs, or 2.85 per rush.

Unlike Kentucky, the Sooners didn’t load the box to stop UT’s run game. It did it with a four-man front and twists and stunts that confused UT’s offensive line and Aguilar.

UT’s run game in six SEC games hasn’t been stellar. In five of those games, UT has rushed for less than 150 yards.

(Jimmy’s blog is brought to you by Rick Terry Jewelry Design in Farragut, Since 1986, Rick and his team have been dedicated to crafting one-of-a-kind jewelry and repairing your favorite jewelry. Rick Terry – he wants to be your jeweler)

4.  UT Offense was Feast or Famine

For most of this season, I’ve described UT’s defense as feast or famine.

That applied to Aguilar against Oklahoma. He threw for 393 yards and three touchdowns. He made some beautiful throws. But he committed three critical turnovers and was sacked four times.

“It hurts a lot,’’ Aguilar said of his miscues, adding that OU did a “good job of disguising’’ its coverages.

“We didn’t handle it well,’’ Heupel said of Oklahoma’s defensive scheme.

Tennessee had 452 yards and 27 points against the SEC’s best defense – OU was allowing just 12.5 points per game — but the turnovers canceled the good.