The best game in the country, so proclaimed by President Donald Trump’s presence, wasn’t quite as close as the final score, Texas 20, Tennessee 17.

What that says is the gritty Volunteers never gave up against the No. 1 Longhorns as things were rocking and rolling at Neyland Stadium. They got a late touchdown, recovered an onside kick and had a long-shot chance at a miracle finish.

On what was called Separation Saturday, Texas moved one step up in what will be a challenging Southeastern Conference race. Tennessee took the fall. The Vol offense struggled. Jim Knowles’ defense, a few pass plays short of perfect, fought fiercely.

There were some amazing statistics and one trashy moment.

Faizon Brandon was sacked 10 times. Generally speaking, he looked like a freshman in his first SEC game. He was hit hard, lost a few plays with a sore shoulder, but kept getting up when knocked down. He’s got guts.

His numbers were 17 of 29 for 145 and a very late touchdown. He gained 75 as a runner and lost 73 on sacks.

The Vols had 70 net yards rushing. Texas had 61. Tennessee had eight more first downs. Even with that said, the Vol offensive line was badly beaten.

Texas QB Arch Manning, on his first visit to where Uncle Peyton played, had a seven-for-seven start and finished 14 of 19 for 201 passing yards with one interception. He was sacked six times.

Arch said he didn’t play very well. After the first quarter, it appeared he wasn’t processing things fast enough within his read progression. This is part of Knowles’ artistry – show QBs one thing and give them something else.

Defensive back Qua Moss #6 had a 57-yard punt return on Saturday against Texas. (Photo by Andrew Ferguson/ TN Athletics)

For 58 minutes and 32 seconds, Tennessee’s lone touchdown was the 57-yard punt return by Qua Moss. Brandon connected with Mike Matthews on a 30-yard TD pass with 1:22 remaining.

Senior linebacker Arion Carter got the onside kick.

“We practice those special situations every Thursday and Friday.”

Texas was penalized 11 times for 115 yards. After one of edge rusher Colin Simmons’ SEC record five sacks, he pretended to unzip his pants and urinate on sacred Shields-Watkins Field.

Referee Kyle Olson flagged Simmons for unsportsmanlike conduct and tactfully explained the sin for the stadium audience and the TV world to hear: “Simulating using the restroom.”

ABC analyst Kirk Herbstreit said it was an “absolutely idiotic move.” Announcer Chris Fowler said “idiotic doesn’t get more vulgar than that.”

Never before have I seen …

Texas went 75 yards with its first possession for a 7-0 lead. Big play was a 43-yard pass. Raleek Brown scored on a nine-yard run.

Two big penalties against the visitors helped Tennessee to a field goal. Texas answered with a three-pointer in the second quarter and led 10-3 at intermission.

In the third quarter, the Longhorns failed to escape a Jackson Ross punt to the Texas 6. They had to kick from their end zone and Moss brought it back to tie the game. Texas went back on top with a field goal.

Texas won the game with five minutes and change remaining. Tennessee’s defense was undoubtedly tired. The Longhorns looked stronger on an eight-play 60-yard drive. Brown got his second TD.

Linebacker Arion Carter #7 (Photo by Drew Garrison/ TN Athletics)

The Vols answered – with Brandon’s courage leading the way. The drive was 80 yards.

The look wasn’t as good after the onside kick. Brandon was sacked twice and the Vols were flagged for two crucial penalties. The Hail Mary was thrown into triple coverage.

Josh Heupel praised Tennessee fans and said “sorry we didn’t have better execution and come away with the win. Credit to Texas. Good football team.”

The coach said the Vol offense “was not anywhere close to being good enough to beat a team like that. Everybody will have a hand in it when we go back on to the tape. Up front, not good enough. Quarterback, not good enough. Ultimately, we’ve got to be better.

“I do love how the team continued to fight, played to the last play. We didn’t play smart enough, but I’ll take the effort of playing the next fight, continuing to fight until the clock hits zero.”

Coach, Texas had 10 sacks. Heupel said the cause was a bunch of everything.

“O-line has got to be better, can be better … there were times when the quarterback’s eyes, decision-making, not getting rid of it … combining all that and you have personnel on the other side, you just can’t play that way.”

Heupel doesn’t give out many awards in defeats but he said the defense pretty much controlled the line of scrimmage.

It fought a good fight.

Texas          7 3 3 7 – 20

Tennessee 3 0 7 7 – 17

TEXAS: Raleek Brown 9 run (Gio Spetic kick).

TENN:  Cooper Ranvier 33 FG.

 TEXAS: Spetic 22 FG.

TENN: Qua Moss 57 punt return (Ranvier kick).

TEXAS: Spetic 44 FG.

TEXAS: Brown 4 run (Spetic kick).

TENN: Mike Matthews 30 pass from Faizon Brandon (Ranvier kick)

Marvin West welcomes comments and questions from readers at marvinwest75@gmail.com     Read more westwords. Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our free newsletter.