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Tennessee football report card in 31-27 win at South Carolina

By Caleb Calhoun

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Collin Hill #15 of the South Carolina Gamecocks attempts a pass as defensive linemen Matthew Butler #94 and Kurott Garland #79 of the Tennessee Volunteers pressure him during the football game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 26, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Collin Hill #15 of the South Carolina Gamecocks attempts a pass as defensive linemen Matthew Butler #94 and Kurott Garland #79 of the Tennessee Volunteers pressure him during the football game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 26, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images /

Offensive grades

Quarterback: C

On paper, Jarrett Guarantano had no issues. He completed 19-of-31 passes for 259 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, and he ran for another touchdown. Oh, he also didn’t turn the ball over. You can’t get much more efficient. However, he missed far too many throws and took a couple of bad sacks, which is why Tennessee football was one-of-11 on third downs on the night.

Running back: B

The old Ty Chandler appears to be back. He averaged over six and a half yards a carry and rushed for 86 yards. Eric Gray added 40 yards and had a touchdown. Together, Chandler and Gray had 167 yards from scrimmage, and they averaged just over five yards a carry. A couple of missed short-yardage plays and not enough usage, though, is why we only gave them a B.

Wide receiver: A-

Honestly, every incomplete pass had nothing to do with the wide receivers on the night. They played great. Josh Palmer had 85 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Johnson had 73 yards and an amazing one-handed grab. Velus Jones emerged with 29 yards, and Ramel Keyton caught all catchable passes, except one, for 20 yards.

Tight end: C

There were a couple of short-yardage run-blocking issues without Austin Pope, and Princeton Fant only had one catch for 11 yards. This unit will have to find a deeper rotation as the year continues on.

Offensive line: B-

Without Cade Mays, Jerome Carvin had a couple of issues. Tennessee football, as we mentioned, was short on a couple of short-yardage runs, and they allowed two sacks and five tackles for a loss. However, the left side was great with Trey Smith and Wanya Morris, and Brandon Kennedy was solid as well. Carvin and Darnell Wright weren’t awful either.

Overall offensive grade: B-

Sure, they only scored 24 points, but the Vols’ offense was pretty efficient all night outside of the errant passes from Guarantano. As a result, it at least gets an above average grade.

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