Tennessee football: Key moments, turning points in Vols’ win over Chattanooga

There was nothing ever in doubt about Tennessee football’s victory over the Chattanooga Mocs. Here are the turning points from the game for the Volunteers.

No one thing is responsible for a 45-0 win. But given how Tennessee football struggled the first two weeks of the year, the Vols needed a few key things to happen just to be able to get on track, and those things did happen.

Normally, no SEC school would celebrate a win over an FCS program, but the Vols are a different story. Jeremy Pruitt’s second team had a brutal start to the season, so a dominating win over anybody was beyond welcome.

UT managed to set the tone early, and they kept it throughout the game. Let’s take a look at how they did that. These are the key moment’s and turning points in Tennessee football’s victory over the Chattanooga Mocs.

Ty Chandler’s 58-yard opening kickoff return

We’ve said for a while that special teams all the way around could be a huge advantage for the Vols, and Ty Chandler got things started early. On the opening kickoff, he had a 58-yard return into Chattanooga territory. Just a few plays later, he ran in for the opening touchdown to spot UT a 7-0 lead. But it all started with the return, and that set the tone for the game.

Blocked punt for a TD

Brandon Johnson doesn’t have a touchdown reception, but here he managed a touchdown in another way. After stopping Chattanooga on their opening drive, the Vols blocked a punt. With them already up 7-0, Johnson recovered it and went into the end zone to put them up two touchdowns early and let the world know that they would control this game.

Nigel Warrior interception returned to Chattanooga 16

After his lapse last week and the issues with the secondary in coming away with interceptions the first two weeks, Nigel Warrior made a key play with UT up 14-0. He intercepted a pass on 3rd and 8 to set up another red zone opportunity for the Vols. It was huge not only because of how it put Tennessee football in control but because of what forcing the turnover meant for the season.

Jarrett Guarantano touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings

Following Warrior’s interception, the Vols had a 3rd and 6 from the 12-yard line. Jarrett Guarantano, even against Chattanooga, had to prove he could make the right decision. Under pressure, he ran to the right spot in the pocket and made a perfect throw to Jauan Jennings for the touchdown. The play put the Vols up 21-0 and proved Guarantano’s worth and abilities.

Darrell Taylor recovers fumble

After Jeremy Pruitt pulled the starters, Chattanooga got a stop and began to drive into Vol territory. They got to the UT one-yard line. Then they committed a false start. On 3rd and goal from the 6, Nick Tiano fumbled a bad snap, and Darrell Taylor recovered. That assured that this game belonged to the Vols, as Chattanooga was not about to threat any other time.

There may still be plenty of issues facing Tennessee football. And yes, they could still go 1-11. But the fact of the matter is they dominated this game and needed the victory, and these key plays were important not just for this game but for the Vols’ season.