Brandon Johnson wants another chance.

Tennessee’s sophomore wideout had the opportunity to win the game against South Carolina on Saturday, but a tough catch slipped through Johnson’s fingertips, leaving the Vols exasperated and still winless in SEC play.

“I got my hand on it,” Johnson said Monday, not shying away from candidly explaining what happened on the final play.

“It was a tough throw, but I wish I had that one back. It’s a catch I know I can make. I just hope I get another opportunity to make a play like that again.”

With just one second remaining in regulation, Tennessee aligned in a pick-play formation from South Carolina’s 2-yard line. Johnson and Marquez Callaway split out wide to the right in a tight formation, but the two sophomore receivers appeared confused just before the snap, but they quickly sorted out their assignments and got lined up.

At the snap, Callaway didn’t get off a real pick, though, as South Carolina cornerback Chris Lammons was able to navigate the traffic and stick onto Johnson, forcing Jarrett Guarantano to fit the pass into a tight window near the sideline.

Johnson got his hands on it, but his diving attempt fell incomplete.

There was slight (confusion) before the snap,” Johnson said. “Just with one second left, we’re rushing, trying to get calls in. But we were able to get it, though. There was slight confusion but for the most part everything was fine.”

Asked if they ultimately lined up correctly with all the confusion, Johnson said, “Yes sir."

Johnson finished the 15-9 loss as Tennessee’s leading receiver (3 catches for 59 yards), but the final play was indicative of the struggles the Vols’ wideouts have had all year.

An inability to consistently catch 50-50 balls, properly run routes consistently or get separation against tight man-to-man coverage has plagued the unit since the loss of Jauan Jennings in the Georgia Tech game.

“That group is evolving,” coach Butch Jones said. “We need more big plays. We need more consistency there. The ability to separate in man-coverage. They’re working very, very hard.

"They’ll continute to work hard, but it’s a very, very young receving corps that’s evolving. They’re learning of what it is to play in the SEC week-in and week-out.”

Johnson leads Tennessee with 259 yards receiving. His 21 catches rank second on the team behind tailback John Kelly. Callaway was a star in the win over Georgia Tech, but the sophomore has just seven total receptions in SEC play. As a unit, the Vols are averaging just 109 receiving yards per game.

Still, Johnson believes the wideouts are playing well so far in 2017, but thinks they can help jumpstart an anemic offense with more splash plays.

“If you really dissect the film, I’d say we’re playing well,” Johnson said.

“But there’s still big plays out there to be made. We’ve got to make big plays. That’s all it is.”