Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ loss to Georgia Bulldogs

4. Wideouts showed how good they are.

One of the reasons Brian Maurer looked like a star was the fact that he gave his receivers a chance to make plays. Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway both had touchdowns and both went over 100 yards receiving, and they were the key players in the game to give Tennessee football a good bit of early energy. In fact, they were almost the only players outside of Maurer.

Jennings had seven receptions for 114 yards, and Callaway had three receptions for 105 yards. Callaway’s 73-yard touchdown reception was the thing that gave these guys momentum early on in the game, and the Jennings touchdown reception was a catch between two defenders on a throw in which Maurer threaded the needle.

It has been a recurring theme all year that Jim Chaney needs to find ways to put the ball in the hands of these two senior wideouts, and this game showed why. They can make plays and win one-on-one matchups with anybody, which is why it is so ridiculous that the Vols don’t continue going to them over the middle and on deep passes.

Callaway showed his ability to fake people out with really solid moves in this one, and Jennings showed a bit of speed and shiftiness with the ball in his hands. Usually, the other person among the two is known for those things. That provides even more versatility, and it’s why Chaney and Jeremy Pruitt should sell out to get these guys the ball. They keep proving they deserve it.