All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football’s top five performers in 44-21 loss at Georgia

By Caleb Calhoun

ATHENS, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 10: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers pulls in this touchdown reception against DJ Daniel #14 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 10: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers pulls in this touchdown reception against DJ Daniel #14 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
ATHENS, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 10: Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs rushes against Jeremy Banks #33, Darel Middleton #97, and Matthew Butler #94 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Sanford Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 10: Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs rushes against Jeremy Banks #33, Darel Middleton #97, and Matthew Butler #94 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Sanford Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

839. Pick Analysis. Defensive lineman. Senior. Darel Middleton. 5. player. Scouting Report

4 tackles; 2 pass deflections; Caused 4th and goal stop

It came down to Kurrott Garland or Darel Middleton here. Somebody up front deserved some credit for how Tennessee football came away with two key 4th down stops in the first half. Garland was in on both stops, but he didn’t have much to do with the stop on the quarterback sneak. As a result, that play was a wash.

However, on the 4th and goal stop at the end of the half, Middleton and Garland were both crucial to that one. Go back and look at the tape. They got the push on the left side that allowed the Vols linebacker to make the key tackle to begin with. It all started up front, even if they didn’t get the stats. So was Middleton the one to make the list?

Well, our tiebreaker was the stats sheet. In addition to getting the push necessary to cause that 4th and goal stop, Middleton also came away with those two pass deflections and those four tackles. Garland, to be fair, had two tackles, and unlike Middleton, had a solo tackle. Middleton’s pass deflections at the line of scrimmage can’t be ignored, though.

In both instances, Middleton gave the Vols a chance to come away with an interception, which they failed to do. Had that happened, he would have actually shot up this list. However, he still came through and made multiple big plays for Rocky Top, and his play is why they had a 21-17 lead to open the third quarter.

Home/Vols Football