The excitement and anticipation of a high-stakes playoff game between Tennessee and Ohio State were palpable leading up to kickoff. However, by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, many Tennessee fans had already made their way to the exits of Ohio Stadium. In a game that was supposed to be a clash of titans, the Volunteers found themselves on the wrong side of a dominating performance by the Buckeyes, leaving their supporters disheartened and heading for the doors early.
The game started with promise for Tennessee, as quarterback Nico Iamaleava led the Volunteers on an early scoring drive to give them a 7-3 lead in the first quarter. However, the Buckeyes quickly found their rhythm, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive prowess.
Ohio State quarterback Devin Brown put on a clinic, shredding Tennessee’s secondary with precision passes and timely scrambles. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., as always, was unstoppable, racking up over 150 yards and two touchdowns by the third quarter. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s offense struggled to find consistency, with Iamaleava facing constant pressure from a relentless Ohio State defensive line led by J.T. Tuimoloau.
By halftime, Ohio State had built a commanding 31-10 lead, and the writing was on the wall for Tennessee fans. The Buckeyes continued to dominate in the second half, extending their lead to 45-13 by the end of the third quarter.
As the third quarter drew to a close, the exodus of Tennessee fans began. Dressed in their signature orange, fans trickled out of Ohio Stadium, some visibly frustrated, while others seemed resigned to the result. What started as a trickle turned into a wave as the fourth quarter began, with many Volunteer supporters opting to beat the traffic rather than endure the remainder of the blowout.
“I’ve been a Tennessee fan for 20 years, but this was hard to watch,” said one fan leaving the stadium early. “We came all the way to Columbus expecting a battle, and it feels like we didn’t even show up after the first quarter.”
The stark contrast between the Tennessee and Ohio State sections of the stadium was impossible to ignore by the fourth quarter. While Buckeyes fans celebrated every big play, the dwindling sea of orange on the other side served as a reminder of the game’s one-sided nature.
The blowout loss raised several questions about Tennessee’s readiness to compete at the highest level. Despite their strong season and high hopes entering the playoff, the Volunteers were simply outclassed in every phase of the game.
Defensively, Tennessee had no answer for Ohio State’s balanced attack, which racked up over 500 yards of total offense. Offensively, the Vols struggled to protect Iamaleava, who was sacked four times and hurried on numerous other plays. The running game, a key component of Tennessee’s success all season, was stifled, with Jaylen Wright managing just 42 yards on 14 carries.
Tennessee fans, known for their unwavering support, were understandably disappointed. Social media was flooded with reactions ranging from frustration with the coaching staff to criticism of the players’ performance.
“This isn’t the Tennessee team we’ve been watching all season,” one fan tweeted. “Where was the fire? The fight? It’s like they gave up after the first quarter.”
For Tennessee, the loss is a sobering reminder of the work that remains to be done to compete with the elite programs in college football. Head coach Josh Heupel will face tough questions in the offseason about how to close the gap between his team and powerhouses like Ohio State.
Despite the disappointing end to the season, Tennessee fans can take solace in the fact that the program is on an upward trajectory. With Nico Iamaleava returning as the cornerstone of the offense and a strong recruiting class on the way, the future still looks bright for the Volunteers.
The sight of Tennessee fans leaving Ohio Stadium before the fourth quarter may be a painful image for Vol Nation, but it also underscores the passion and expectations surrounding the program. For a fanbase that believes in the team’s potential, such a performance was unacceptable, and the message is clear: Tennessee must rise to the occasion in games of this magnitude.
As the Volunteers regroup and prepare for next season, this loss will serve as both a lesson and a motivation to ensure that the next time they reach the playoff stage, they’re ready to compete—and to keep their fans in the stands until the final whistle.