Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols win 28-10 win vs. Vanderbilt

2. The passing attack was hideous for most of the game. 

One of the reasons Jim Chaney had to go to the rushing attack was because of how bad the passing game was for Tennessee football. Derek Mason, knowing what Jarrett Guarantano had done in recent weeks, sold out to make sure he wouldn’t win the game through the air. And for a while, it worked.

Jim Chaney tried to have Guarantano win the game on his first three drives. The result was an interception and two punts, which is why UT was down 3-0 early on. Guarantano failed to complete his first eight passes, and he had an interception in there as well. It was just an ugly look all the way around, and yes, it had some fans concerned.

For the game, Guarantano finished with only six completions on 17 attempts for 120 yards and that interception. He did have one touchdown pass, though, and that’s where the one positive out of this passing attack comes: Dominick Wood-Anderson. The senior tight end finished with three receptions for 45 yards and the only receiving touchdown of the game.

Jauan Jennings led the team in receiving with two receptions for 56 yards, and Marquez Callaway had the other reception for a 19-yard gain. Callaway’s catch and a Jennings 50-yard catch both happened on UT’s final touchdown drive, so they made sure to come up when they were needed. But it was still problematic for much of the game. And it’s something that needs to improve.