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Tennessee football Smokey Points: Top five Vols in 28-10 Vanderbilt win

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 5: The Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey runs through the end zone after a score against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 5, 2013 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 5: The Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey runs through the end zone after a score against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 5, 2013 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Running Back. 1. 839. Freshman. Eric Gray. player

Is anybody shocked by our decision to put Eric Gray here? He is easily Tennessee football’s player of the game, and he gives the Vols lots to be excited about when it comes to the future. As a freshman, Gray came in with hype similar to Ty Chandler a couple of years ago, but he had just not been able to break the long run yet. He finally did in this game.

Gray broke Jamal Lewis’s school record for rushing yards in a game by a true freshman. He had 25 carries for 246 yards and three touchdowns. If not for Lynn Bowden Jr. and Jaylen Waddle, he would be the runaway SEC Offensive Player of the Week. And heading into this game, he had just over 200 yards for the entire season.

Things got going with a 56-yard touchdown run by Gray to give the Vols a 7-3 lead. Then, after a mistake on a punt return that backed UT up on their on six-yard line, Gray took a handoff 94 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. After the Vanderbilt Commodores cut it to 21-10, Gray completed a long drive with another touchdown to secure the 28-10 win.

Next. Five takeaways from Vols' 28-10 win vs. Vanderbilt. dark

Tim Jordan was solid on the day, the blocking was great, and Chandler still deserves credit for how he’s played all year. But this day belonged to Gray. On Senior Day, a freshman had the historic day, as he was dominant from the start. It also bodes well for the future of the run game on Rocky Top with Gray only being a freshman.

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