Vols Football: Game Ball for Week 7 vs. Chattanooga Game

Justin Worley has performed admirably this season. He’s easily the MVP for the Vols this season. PHOTO: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

As expected, the Tennessee Volunteers got an easy win Saturday against the Chattanooga Mocs, prevailing 45-10 in easy fashion. The defense was dominant, holding UTC to 201 total yards of offense, the majority of which came in the 4th quarter with scrubs playing.

The offense, however, wasn’t as smooth. But there were still plenty of bright spots on the day, including the recipient of the All For Tennessee Game Ball.

This award might just be renamed “The Justin Worley Award” for how many times he’s won it this season, as he hauls it in once again this season for his impressive performance against the Mocs. Worley was sacked 5 times on the day, but he didn’t let that prevent him from putting up some gaudy numbers.

Worley completed 19-of-24 passes for 198 yards and 3 scores without tossing an interception for the third time this season. He also chipped in 2 rushing scores and became the first Vols QB to run for two TD’s since Casey Clausen did it in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan in 2002.

Fans wanted the Vols’ QB to run the ball more, and he did just that against an overmatched UTC defense, carrying the ball 5 times for 34 yards (not counting his 5 sacks for -35 yards). His longest scramble was a 14-yard run, and he scored on an 8-yard run in the 2nd quarter.

Worley has been an absolute warrior this season, piling up 1,388 yards for 12 TD’s and 5 interceptions. In other words, Worley has already surpassed his total yardage and touchdowns from a year ago only halfway through this season.

The most telling stat, however, is the number of sacks he has sustained. Through 6 games, Worley has been sacked 22 times, nearly 4 times the amount he was sacked all of last season while he played. Imagine what Worley could do with better protection and a completely healthy receiving corps.