Tennessee football report card: Grading Vols in 41-21 win vs. Gamecocks

Defense

Defensive line: B

Nobody really stood out for Tennessee football up front. That was partially because Darel Middleton was disqualified in the first half due to targeting. Lack of big plays is why we can’t give this unit an A. But the push it got up front counts for something, and it allowed everybody else to make big plays in stopping the South Carolina offense.

Linebacker: A+

Darrell Taylor had two key third-down sacks and two pass deflections, one on fourth down. Daniel Bituli had 15 tackles, 11 solo, and a tackle for a loss and pass deflection. Henry To’o To’o added eight tackles. Deandre Johnson had a sack while Kivon Bennett had three quarterback hurries. They held South Carolina to under two yards a carry. Simply put, the unit was superb.

Secondary: C-

There’s no denying that the Vols had too many lapses in the secondary. They allowed a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play. Ryan Hilinski directed back to back touchdown drives late in the first half. He had over 300 yards on the game. They regrouped in the second half, and Nigel Warrior made some nice plays. But this was the weakest unit on the field for the Vols.

Overall defensive grade: B

Despite the issues in the secondary, everybody regrouped in the second half, and the Vols shut down the South Carolina offense. They benefitted from injuries that the Gamecocks were suffering, but they still did their job. So despite the pass defense issues, they were above average.