Marlin Lane TD Pass Was A Predetermined Play
By Zach Ragan
If you watched Tennessee’s win against Iowa in the Gator Bowl (and who are we kidding, we know you’ve watched it at least twice), there’s more than likely one play that sticks out more than any other — Marlin Lane’s touchdown pass to Vic Wharton.
The trick play — a backward pass from Josh Dobbs to Lane, who then threw a bomb to a wide open Wharton — was a thing of beauty. It was the perfect playcall at the perfect moment.
And according to UT wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, it was all predetermined.
Azzanni, while appearing on Nashville’s 104.5 The Zone on Monday, said the Vols had already decided they were running the trick play once they crossed the 50.
The Vols actually didn’t run the play until their third drive of the game (they were up 14-0 at the time and appeared to be on their way to dominating the game), but it was the first time in the game that their starting field position was on the Iowa side of the 50.
Tennessee got creative with their playbook when it mattered most. Fans have been critical of offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian at times during 2014, but there’s no doubt they were loving him after his playcalling led to a 21-0 Vol lead to open the Gator Bowl.
I wouldn’t expect a plethora of trick plays next season (obviously, or they wouldn’t be useful). However, I would expect the Vols’ playbook to open up a bit more as the offensive line progresses and Dobbs gets more comfortable under center.