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Tennessee football report card in 35-12 win vs. Missouri

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) makes a catch over Missouri defensive back Ennis Rakestraw, Jr. (2) during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 3, 2020.Kns Ut Football Missouri Bp
Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) makes a catch over Missouri defensive back Ennis Rakestraw, Jr. (2) during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 3, 2020.Kns Ut Football Missouri Bp /
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Oct 3, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee defensive back Kenneth George Jr. (5) and Tennessee linebacker Kivon Bennett (95) tackle Missouri running back Tyler Badie (1) during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 3, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee defensive back Kenneth George Jr. (5) and Tennessee linebacker Kivon Bennett (95) tackle Missouri running back Tyler Badie (1) during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK /

Defensive grades

Defensive line: C+

Nobody stood out up front for Tennessee football on the defensive line. Larry Rountree III did have 18 carries for 84 yards, and the Missouri Tigers’ offensive line was able to get a push at times. Overall, Mizzou rushed for over 120 yards, and the Vols only had five tackles for a loss. However, the unit wasn’t horrible. It just didn’t stand out in any impressive way.

Linebacker: A-

This was by far the best unit of the group. Henry To’o To’o continued to be elite as an open-field tackler, and Deandre Johnson had one of the most important plays of the day with a third-down sack. Quavaris Crouch and Jeremy Banks also provided value here, as did Kivon Bennett. The only bad play was when Crouch got beat in coverage on a fourth-down pass.

Secondary: C+

Once Connor Bazelak came in the game and replaced Shawn Robinson, the issues in this unit were exposed again. Shawn Shamburger’s absence continues to plague the Vols, and they were killed over the middle. However, we can’t ignore that they made plays when things got tight, and Theo Jackson had a key interception that boosted this unit’s performance overall.

Overall grade: B-

We’re being unfair. The Vols held the Missouri Tigers to 12 points and under 350 total yards. That’s an above average day. However, the defense would have allowed 21 points were it not for two key drops, and an interception is the only reason they may not have allowed 28 points.

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