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Tennessee Football Smokey Points: Top 5 Vols Performers in the Music City Bowl

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) catches a pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) catches a pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Terrell Newby (34) is stopped by Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. (34) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Terrell Newby (34) is stopped by Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. (34) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

With injuries at defensive tackle and no clear starter at outside linebacker, Darrin Kirkland Jr. had a difficult task. He was going to have to be the factor in the Vols stopping a solid Nebraska running game with their elite offensive line.

Kirkland handled that performance admirably.

The Huskers had a few solid runs, but for the most part they were stuffed. The backs averaged barely over four yards a carry, and when you add in the tackles on Ryker Fyfe, the rushing attack averaged barely over two yards a carry.

Make no mistake, Kirkland was the reason for that. He led the Tennessee football defense with seven tackles, four of which were solo.

And he added two tackles for a loss.

Mike Riley tried to run horizontal plays to mix up the running game every now and then, but it never worked with Kirkland in the game. The Huskers’ only chance was to go up the middle, and eventually the Vols figured that out as well.

With Jalen Reeves-Maybin going down early in the season, Kirkland had to step up and be the leader of the defense once he returned from his own injury.

He has done an amazing job at that, and this bowl game was its culmination.

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