In Trent Dilfer's coaching return to Lipscomb Academy and TSSAA football, the Mustangs were inches short of a season opening upset.
McCallie's defense stopped Lipscomb Academy at the goal line on 4th and goal to preserve a 27-24 overtime victory on Aug. 21 in Chattanooga.
Lipscomb Academy twice appeared close to scoring on the overtime possession but were denied. On third and goal, Turner White carried inside the 1-yard line but was ruled short. Duke commit Mikel Stephens was stopped inches short on a fourth and goal carry in the game's final play.
And while the Mustangs will drive back up Interstate-24 with a 0-1 record, it was a huge effort against a Division II-AAA power in Dilfer's return after three seasons at UAB.
The Mustangs led 17-7 in the second quarter after a 78-yard touchdown catch by Jaxon Spencer via a reverse pass. But the Blue Tornado slowly chipped away at the deficit.
McCallie took a go-ahead field goal off the board after roughing the kicker penalty with 4:22 left in the fourth quarter, then Macc Chapin scored an 8-yard, go-ahead touchdown with 3:26 left. After a successful two-point conversion, McCallie led 24-17.
Lipscomb Academy's offense led a 67-yard drive to tie the game, capped by a Jaxon Spencer 5-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds left in regulation.
The Mustangs had a chance to win in regulation after an interception in McCallie territory, but Tyson Robbins' 46-yard field goal was short.
Dilfer went 44-10 in four seasons at Lipscomb Academy from 2019-2022 and made three trips to the state championship game, winning two titles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: McCallie squeaks past Lipscomb Academy in OT in Trent Dilfer's TSSAA football return
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