9. Marquez Callaway vs. Charlotte
Stat line: 3 receptions, 30 yards; 3 returns, 98 yards, 1 touchdown
Result: Tennessee wins 14-3
Marquez Callaway made his most spectacular play of the season for Tennessee football a week later, catching the Hail Mary touchdown pass at halftime against the Kentucky Wildcats. However, this was a better game by him overall, and his success came not in the passing game but on special teams.
The offense was clearly sputtering under Tyson Helton heading into November, and the horrendous offensive line that had just lost Trey Smith didn’t help matters. As a result, defense and special teams would have to keep the Charlotte game in hand.
Well, Callaway did his part. After the Vols had to punt on the first drive, they forced the 49ers to punt it right back. But Charlotte had actually nailed a beautiful punt that Callaway was forced to field from inside the 20.
All he did was take it 82 yards to the house for a touchdown. A punt return touchdown could have never come at a more critical time, and it was enough to allow the Vols’ defense to win the game the rest of the way.
Callaway did add three receptions for 30 yards, and he added six-yard and 10-yard punt returns. But that punt return TD was clearly the difference in the game. It was enough to warrant him a spot on the list as one of the top in-game performers. This year, more acclimated to the pro-style, he figures to make more big plays like he did early in 2017.