Dee Williams Punt Return For TD Secures Tennessee Win Over Texas A&M Aggies

Dee Williams sealed the deal for the Tennessee Volunteers over the Texas A&M Aggies

Sometimes, a bye week comes at the right time, and few programs could need rest and time to regroup as Texas A&M. 

The Aggies' red-hot opening drive was one of the few offensive bright spots in a 20-13 loss against No. 19 Tennessee in Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers extend their home-winning stream to 13 games dating back to 2021. 

Quarterbacks receive a heavy dosage of the blame in losses like these. And while Max Johnson factored into the inept offensive execution, he also had little to work with upfront.

Johnson, who finished 16-of-34 for 223 yards, evaded a pair of sacks during the opening drive and pushed across the pylon for a 2-yard touchdown. But the Volunteers (5-1, 2-1 SEC) continued to send all-out blitzes, forcing three sacks and six tackles for loss. 

Tennessee's offense often looked one-dimensional, but the rushing attack ate time off the clock and forced A&M (4-3, 2-2 SEC) to pick up the tempo. Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small combined for 178 yards on 31 carries and averaged 5.2 yards per play. 

Joe Milton prospered in short-field position for a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Warren with 1:44 remaining in the first quarter. Milton finished the afternoon 11-of-22 for 100 yards and a touchdown against one interception. 

Jimbo Fisher elected for the second consecutive week to run out the clock instead of pushing forward for a positive gain in the closing minutes of the first half. Last week, A&M decided to let the clock dwindle before accepting a punt in a 26-20 loss to Alabama. 

As the second half began, so did Alabama's comeback. A week later at Rocky Top, the same results occurred. 

Defensive back Dee Williams returned a 39-yard punt return for a touchdown to give Tennessee the 14-10 lead with 6:47 remaining in the third quarter. Johnson responded with a 28-yard pass to Noah Thomas to set up the 24-yard field goal from Randy Bond. 

Tennessee Volunteers QB Joe Milton waits for the snap against Texas A&M Aggies defensive line at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.  / USA Today-Sports

Josh DeBerry snatched his second interception in the red zone to give the Aggies a chance down by one. A&M's offense drove downfield, but Bond missed a 50-yard field goal to give the ball back to Milton and the offense. 

Charles Campbell drilled two field goals from 31 and 24 yards, respectively, to extend Tennessee's lead to seven. Johnson tossed a second interception on fourth-and-10 with 22 seconds remaining. 

With a second consecutive loss, it'll be hard for the Aggies to remain in the race for first place in the SEC West. Even with potential victories over Ole Miss and LSU, A&M would still be at the mercy of No. 11 Alabama, who survived a 24-21 scare against Arkansas at Bryant-Denny Stadium. 

Alabama would hold all tiebreakers thanks to its Week 6 win over A&M, plus victories over Ole Miss and Arkansas. 

The Crimson Tide will take on Tennessee next week in the annual Third Saturday in October matchup. A&M returns to Kyle Field to take on South Carolina on Oct. 28.