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Five takeaways from Tennessee’s season finale at Ohio State

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Tennessee Volunteers versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff first round at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

No. 8 seed Ohio State (11-2, 7-2 Big Ten) defeated No. 9 seed Tennessee (10-3, 6-2 SEC), 42-17, on Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio during the first round of the College Football Playoff.

The Buckeyes eliminated Tennessee from the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. The Vols’ 2024 season has concluded.

“We’ve got to play better,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “We’ve got to coach better. Ohio State is a good football team. Tonight wasn’t one of our best performances this year, and so at the end of the day we’ve got to continue to grow. We’ll start again and start retooling, rebuilding and grow as a football team. Two years ago, I don’t know, we finished sixth in the country. There’s a standard inside of our building, and we’re going to continue to grow.”

PHOTOS: Ohio State defeats Tennessee at Ohio Stadium

Below are five takeaways from Tennessee’s season finale.

Cold weather

Jakobe Thomas, Arion Carter and James Pearce Jr. Tennessee Volunteers versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff first round at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols WireJakobe Thomas, Arion Carter and James Pearce Jr. Tennessee Volunteers versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff first round at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Jakobe Thomas, Arion Carter and James Pearce Jr. Tennessee Volunteers versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff first round at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

According to the University of Tennessee, the temperature at kickoff for the Tennessee-Ohio State game was 25 degrees, tying the third-coldest game for the Vols since 1950.

Nov. 25, 1950 vs. Kentucky – 10 degrees

Nov. 22, 1952 vs. Kentucky – 18 degrees

Nov. 26, 1977 vs. Vanderbilt – 25 degrees

Dec. 21, 2024 at Ohio State – 25 degrees

Big Ten opponent on the road

Saturday’s contest marked the first road game for the Vols against a Big Ten member at the time of the meeting. Tennessee’s previous matchups versus Big Ten opponents were played in bowl games, during the regular season or at a neutral site. The Vols are the fourth team to play at Ohio Stadium as a SEC member (LSU, Kentucky, Vanderbilt).

10-win season

Josh Heupel. Tennessee Volunteers versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff first round at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols WireJosh Heupel. Tennessee Volunteers versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff first round at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Heupel. Tennessee Volunteers versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff first round at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee concluded its 2024 season with a 10-3 record and 6-2 in SEC play. The Vols recorded their second 10-win season in the last three years. Tennessee’s 30 wins from 2022-24 are the most for its program in a three-year span since 1998-2000. The Vols won 30 contests from 1998-2000, including the 1998 BCS national championship.

Bob Kesling’s last game as the Voice of the Vols

Bob Kesling. Tennessee Volunteers football versus UTEP Miners at Neyland Stadium on November 23, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols WireBob Kesling. Tennessee Volunteers football versus UTEP Miners at Neyland Stadium on November 23, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Bob Kesling. Tennessee Volunteers football versus UTEP Miners at Neyland Stadium on November 23, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Bob Kesling called his final Tennessee football game as the Voice of the Vols. He announced his retirement during the regular season. Kesling served as the Voice of the Vols since 1999.

Tennessee’s rushing offense

Dylan Sampson. Tennessee Volunteers versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff first round at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols WireDylan Sampson. Tennessee Volunteers versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff first round at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Dylan Sampson. Tennessee Volunteers versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff first round at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee ended its 2024 season with 2,936 rushing yards, marking the second-most in program history. Tennessee recorded 3,068 rushing yards during its 1951 national championship season.

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Five takeaways from Tennessee’s season finale at Ohio State

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