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Tennessee Football Smokey Points: Top 5 Vols Who Performed vs the Kentucky Wildcats

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 12, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) celebrate after Malone scored a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the third quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) celebrate after Malone scored a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the third quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

For the first time in maybe the entire season, Derek Barnett was not the biggest star for the Tennessee football defense. Against the Kentucky Wildcats, he was not even the biggest star on the defensive line or among the defensive ends.

That title rests with the guy who played opposite of him, Corey Vereen.

The senior defensive end has faced a ton of pressure to make plays all year with teams focusing so heavily on Barnett. And he has made sure to do his part when that happens.

That was never truer than it was Saturday.

With the Wildcats using their mobile quarterback in Stephen Johnson to run away from Barnett and torch the Vols’ linebackers in the rushing game, Vereen was the guy to save the day. He finished the game with five tackles, three tackles for a loss, and two huge sacks.

Butch Jones and Bob Shoop were able to prove to the world that their defensive line remains elite even if people do focus on Barnett. And that is thanks to Vereen.

Despite all the injuries up front, all the fatigue at the defensive tackle position, and guys still returning to health at linebacker, Vereen is able to do his part to free up Barnett by letting people know that they can’t ignore him.

It worked to perfection on Saturday.

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