Tennessee football report card: Grading the Vols in their 42-41 OT win vs. Georgia Tech
Offensive Grades
Quarterback: B+
As was fairly prediction, Quinten Dormady was named the starter to replace Joshua Dobbs. He played the whole game, and after a rocky beginning, he had an amazing second half. He connected on 20 of 37 passes for 221 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Those are very good numbers against a defense like Georgia Tech’s. On top of that, he led a game-tying 95-yard drive in the fourth quarter. The only reason he didn’t get an A is because he was so inconsistent in the first half. But overall, it was a very good first start for Dormady as Tennessee football’s new quarterback.
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Running Backs: A
The scandal of the game was that John Kelly only had 19 carries. If the Vols had given him the ball more, perhaps they could have controlled the clock and kept the defense off the field. Kelly averaged over six and a half yards a carry and went for 128 yards and four touchdowns. He added five receptions for 35 yards. He was the only back to see real action, but it was enough. That Ty Chandler had a seven-yard gain on his only carry simply adds to the elite play of the backs.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: B+
Quinten Dormady had some pre-game jitters, but the receivers didn’t help early. Tennessee football looked nothing like Wide Receiver U. Ethan Wolf had a couple of bad drops, Tyler Byrd couldn’t catch one over the middle, and guys just weren’t making plays. Then, Jauan Jennings went out. But once the second half hit, things changed. Wolf finally started catching balls. Brandon Johnson and Josh Palmer both had some nice plays. And of course, Marquez Callaway became the player of the game, making four amazing catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns. He and Wolf in he second half are what allowed this unit to have a B+.
Offensive Line: A-
The Tennessee football offensive line was missing Drew Richmond early as Marcus Tatum struggled at right tackle. Also, Jashon Robertson had not settled in at playing center. But for the most part, it was still a solid performance. Trey Smith was amazing in his first outing for the Vols, and Jack Jones was a huge part of the team’s success. Tennessee averaged over six and a half yards a carry and did not allow a sack all game. That’s pretty good, and it’s enough to warrant an A-.
Overall offensive grade: A-
With a new quarterback, a true freshman starting on the offensive line, and their top receiver getting hurt, Tennessee football was in serious trouble in this game. That’s especially true when you factor in the other side of the ball. But they still managed to come through when it mattered most, and despite not being on the field much, they made their yards count. The strong second half earns this group an A-.