Tennessee football Smokey Points: Top 5 Vols performers vs. Florida Gators

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Madre London #31 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs for yards during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Madre London #31 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs for yards during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Even though Tennessee football’s defensive line faded throughout the night, Kyle Phillips still played well enough to earn a helmet sticker in this game for the Vols. The senior defensive end made enough plays to live up to his once five-star hype.

Phillips had three tackles, and like Alexis Johnson, he also came away with a huge sack. It was at a different time, with the Vols down 33-6 and needing a miracle to come back, but you felt if they could move the ball enough that might happen.

The sack stalled a Florida Gators drive that forced them to punt, which set up a Vols touchdown drive to at least make it 33-13. Before that, though, Phillips made another huge play. He was the one who recovered the fumble that Alontae Taylor forced in the first half to set up UT’s first field goal and make the game 14-3.

Next. 5 takeaways from Vols loss to Florida. dark

So as you can tell, Phillips set up 10 points for Tennessee football in this game. That’s a huge deal, and it’s why he earns a helmet sticker for his play. Again, it wasn’t great overall, but there were enough spark moments for us to give him some well-deserved attention. And that’s why he’s the player of the game from Saturday.