Vols Football: Game Ball and Crowd Report for Week 12 vs. Kentucky

The Vols won easily Saturday against Kentucky, thanks in part to a resurgence on defense. PHOTO: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Before the Tennessee Volunteers took on the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, most people expected the result to be somewhat close, at least in the two-score range. What happened, however, was something more akin to the match-ups in the 1990’s.

The Vols beat the Wildcats 50-16 Saturday afternoon, and both the offense and defense were clicking. The sold-out crowd took in the game despite the cold conditions, and they pledged their support throughout. While it was not as rowdy as the three previous sell-outs, fans still provided a good home-field advantage for the Vols.

Of note, though, is a certain fan near the band. As the band exited the stands to take the field in the dwindling moments of the second quarter, a fan decided to leave the stands with them. According to him, he made it all the way to the other side of the stadium before being asked for his badge. He claimed to have left it with the band and proceeded to make his way back to his seat. But not before he took a selfie with Smokey, though.

Game Ball

The Vols played one of their more complete games, if not their most complete game of the season, this Saturday. Both the offense and defense played well, and while quarterback Joshua Dobbs had another solid performance, this week’s All For Tennessee Game Ball goes to a defensive player.

Freshman defensive end Derek Barnett earns this week’s Game Ball because of yet another stellar game in what has been a record-breaking freshman season for the former 4-star defensive end.

Barnett registered 7 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, and 2 sacks on the day, leading team in the number of tackles for loss. Barnett and the whole defensive line were a big reason why the Vols’ defense was able to bounce back after two disappointing outings and limit the Wildcats.

On the season, Barnett has 56 total tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, and 9 sacks, one more than Jadeveon Clowney did when he won Freshman of the Year his first year at South Carolina.