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Tennessee football report card: Grading the Vols at South Carolina

By Caleb Calhoun

COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 27: Jauan Jennings #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers is called for a unsportsmanship penalty against Steven Montac #22 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 27: Jauan Jennings #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers is called for a unsportsmanship penalty against Steven Montac #22 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images /

Defense

Defensive line: B-

I know, this unit should be lower. But as we’ve said all year, Tennessee football simply does not have a lot of depth on the defensive line. They do what they can, and despite the lack of depth, they made the plays they could Saturday night. Shy Tuttle came down with an interception to set up the Vols first touchdown. Kyle Phillips and Alexis Johnson combined for two tackles for a loss and a sack. And they forced a fumble on the goal line that was never called. So the unit did play well, even if they struggled to keep up in the second half. And that’s why we’re giving it a break.

Linebackers: C-

Daniel Bituli did tip the ball that Shy Tuttle intercepted. Darrin Kirkland Jr. sniffed out a few run plays. Bituli also recovered that fumble that was never called. However, amidst all of these positives, Tennessee’s linebackers struggled severely Saturday night as well. They didn’t always fill the gaps right, and that’s why Rico Dowdle had 14 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown. Needing a stop on the final drive of the game, the Vols linebackers allowed Dowdle to bounce outside for 30 yards and the game-clinching first down. Yes, they made plays, and yes, the defensive line struggled in the second half. But it was a consistent problem for the linebackers, and that’s why we give this unit a C-.

Secondary: D

It’s one thing to struggle with Rico Dowdle running the ball. Indeed, South Carolina beat the Vols on the ground. But it didn’t help that the secondary got torched at specific times by Jake Bentley. Baylen Buchanan picked up a questionable pass interference call that did set up a field goal, but we have to acknowledge he was a bit handsy. The Vols also gave up a 73-yard pass to Bryan Edwards, and Deebo Samuel had a one-handed touchdown grab that would never have happened if Alontae Taylor did not leave his man. Bentley only had 152 yards passing, but he completed 11-of-16 attempts for a touchdown. His negative plays were due to the defensive line and linebackers, such as that interception, not the secondary. In fact, even with the stats so pedestrian, it’s hard to point out too many good plays made by the secondary in this game. That’s  why it gets a D.

Overall defensive grade: D+

Tennessee football held a two-score lead in the first and second halves. Yes, the offense didn’t close the deal. But the defense did not get one stop in the second half, and even if you bring up the fact that the refs missed a fumble by Rico Dowdle, that was not a fumble forced by the Vols. As a result, this unit as a whole was horrible Saturday.

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