Tennessee football Smokey points: Top five Vols in 23-22 Gator Bowl win

Another freshman makes the list. Eric Gray was the star for Tennessee football in their win over the Vanderbilt Commodores, and he was the star for the Vols in their comeback win in the Gator Bowl over the Indiana Hoosiers. This guy did it all, and the superstar we were waiting to see finally came through at the end of the year.

On the ground, Gray had 14 carries for 86 yards, an average of over six yards a carry, and the game-winning touchdown run. But he was also a big deal in the passing game, catching two passes for 34 yards. Those two receptions came with the Vols down 22-9, and they were the first two in Jarrett Guarantano’s five consecutive completions that set up UT’s first touchdown drive.

So Gray was critical catching balls out of the backfield in crucial moments, and his runs were crucial. But the play of the game was neither of those things, and it was still made by him. Gray recovered the surprise onside kick after the first touchdown. Not only did he recover it, but he did a perfect job waiting until the ball just crossed 10 yards, making a veteran move in the process.

So with 120 yards from scrimmage, a touchdown, and an onside kick recovery, Gray is clearly the player of the game. Him being just a freshmen bodes really well for Tennessee football’s future. The Vols got a ton out of him the final two games of the year, and he was the guy who engineered this comeback.