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Tennessee football: 10 best 2018 single game performances by returning Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Darrell Taylor #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers gets a strip sack from Terry Wilson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Darrell Taylor #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers gets a strip sack from Terry Wilson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images
Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images /

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.

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