Oct 31, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) runs around the end during a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive Grades
Quarterback: B
This is a very harsh grade, yes. But Joshua Dobbs is a dual-threat quarterback going up against a team that is terrible at stopping dual-threat quarterbacks. As a result, his four total touchdowns, 233 passing yards, and 64 rushing yards should have been par for the course.
We have to knock a few points from Dobbs because of the fact that he had a fumble on the first drive that was returned for a touchdown and threw an interception in the second half. Although he was a playmaker and deserves credit, he had trouble picking up a few Kentucky defensive schemes early.
Running Backs: A
The Wildcats sold out to stop the run as much as they possibly could. And Tennessee’s running backs still had 34 carries for a net gain of 200 yards. They also had three receptions for 50 yards. And, with Kentucky blitzing all night, the unit did a great job picking up blocks as well.
Alvin Kamara had four carries for 70 yards, including a long run that set up a Joshua Dobbs touchdown run to give the Vols a first half two-score lead, and Jalen Hurd had 63 yards rushing and another 37 receiving despite Kentucky’s attempts to stop him at all cost. John Kelly had another 65 yards.
Offensive Line: B+
Early on, the offensive line struggled to pick up blitzes. As a result, we can’t go all-out and give them an A. But this unit still deserves a lot of credit for the way it played.
As the game wore on, the line was able to adjust, and they allowed for tons of great offensive plays overall. Chance Hall and Jack Jones are really settling in on the right side, and for the unit to adjust even after Jashon Robertson got hurt again is impressive.
Betsided
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: A-
A lot of this is thanks to Joshua Dobbs, but the Tennessee Vols wide receivers and tight ends finally came through as the playmakers they were supposed to be relied upon to be.
With Kentucky taking away the slot option and blitzing all night, Ethan Wolfe stepped up with two receptions for 27 yards. Von Pearson was one big option with five receptions for 37 yards. And Josh Malone stepped up as a go-to receiver, culminating the work he has done the past three weeks with four receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown, including a game-changing 75-yard reception.
Overall Offensive Grade: A-
They technically only had 38 points, but they moved into Kentucky territory every time they had the ball except for one time when Joshua Dobbs threw an interception. However, a fumble in the red zone, that interception, and being stopped one other time kept this from being an A+. Still, it was a great performance.
Next: Defensive Grades