Tennessee Smokey Points: Top Five Vols Who Deserve Helmet Stickers for their Performance vs. the Georgia Bulldogs
Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Greyson Lambert (11) throws a pass during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
But Barnett was still a playmaker in this game, so he gets the props Tennessee needed him to earn if they were going to win.
Known for coming up in big moments of big games, Barnett registered seven tackles, one sack, and a quarterback hurry.
His play was so incredible that on the last drive, with Georgia needing a touchdown to tie, John Jancek was comfortable only rushing three. And Barnett still managed to get enough pressure on Lambert to not allow the team enough time to score a touchdown.
This is nothing new for Barnett, of course.
He made what should have been multiple game-clinching plays against Florida before they converted on that fourth and 14. he also made game-saving plays throughout last year’s South Carolina game.
This is a superstar defensive end who shows up in big moments, and he did so again on Saturday.
For that, he is on this list as one of the winners of Smokey Points. And he has been doing it for four games now without his partner Curt Maggitt on the other side to help him out. Barnett is just that good.
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Derek Barnett
Defensive End, Sophomore
It was very clear earlier this week that the Vols would desperately need Derek Barnett to step up in this game to stop Georgia’s dominant rushing attack and get pressure on Greyson Lambert, who showed last week that he is awful under pressure.
Despite the devastating injury to Nick Chubb, which we all feel sick about, the Bulldogs still managed a ton of rushing yards on the ground.
But Barnett was still a playmaker in this game, so he gets the props Tennessee needed him to earn if they were going to win.
Known for coming up in big moments of big games, Barnett registered seven tackles, one sack, and a quarterback hurry.
His play was so incredible that on the last drive, with Georgia needing a touchdown to tie, John Jancek was comfortable only rushing three. And Barnett still managed to get enough pressure on Lambert to not allow the team enough time to score a touchdown.
This is nothing new for Barnett, of course.
He made what should have been multiple game-clinching plays against Florida before they converted on that fourth and 14. he also made game-saving plays throughout last year’s South Carolina game.
This is a superstar defensive end who shows up in big moments, and he did so again on Saturday.
For that, he is on this list as one of the winners of Smokey Points. And he has been doing it for four games now without his partner Curt Maggitt on the other side to help him out. Barnett is just that good.
Next: #1: Joshua Dobbs