Tennessee fans can point to one bright spot after the Vols lost 30-27 in double overtime against North Carolina in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl on Thursday.
The nightmare that is Daniel Lincoln will finally come to an end with his eligibility now exhausted.
Never in the history of Tennessee football has one kicker cost the Vols so many games.
Daniel Lincoln
Lincoln’s inconsistency came into play again late in the fourth quarter when his extra point was blocked because the trajectory of the kick was too low.
Vols’ fans may want to place blame for this loss on Janzen Jackson, who was guilty of a stupid unnecessary roughness penalty with 25 seconds remaining in regulation that moved the Tar Heels into field goal range.
Some may think Tyler Bray cost the Vols a chance to win when he threw his third interception of the game in the second overtime.
While both plays had a significant impact on the outcome, neither Jackson or Bray were the reasons Tennessee lost.
The loss rests squarely with Lincoln, but coach Derek Dooley and others in the Vols locker room will attempt to spin this as a team loss.
Granted, there will be some merit in that argument. Tennessee had eight penalties for 75 yards, turned the ball over three times and could only muster 27 yards rushing against North Carolina’s defense.
Bray looked every bit the freshman quarterback he is, playing erratically for most of the game. He completed 27 of 45 passes for 308 yards and four touchdowns.
When the outcome of the game was on the line, he made a terrible pass. Yes, the receiver slipped and Bray was throwing to the spot, but he failed to recognize North Carolina’s Quan Sturdivant had dropped into coverage in the area he was trying to throw the ball.
The Volunteers (6-7) had an opportunity to close out their season with a win over a quality opponent and use it as a building block for next season.
Although the Vols will undoubtedly benefit from this experience and the advantages gained from playing so many true freshman this season, a loss like this is a very bitter pill to swallow.
It’s especially bitter when a senior kicker can’t successfully convert the easiest thing he’s called upon to do in a game.
In Daniel Lincoln’s case, it wasn’t the first time he’s let the Vols down with a missed kick, but thankfully it will be the last.
