2 TFLs; 1 sack
Deandre Johnson’s targeting penalty was devastating for Tennessee football. However, the Vols may have found a new, young pass-rusher who had been waiting to break out. Roman Harrison had his mini-breakout game on Saturday against the Georgia Bulldogs with his two tackles for a loss, one of which was a sack. Both could have proven to be critical, and one did.
Harrison’s sack came on the second drive of the game. Georgia had allowed the touchdown to fall behind 7-0, got the ball back and was driving. On 3rd and 6 in UT territory, though, Harrison came around the edge and sacked Stetson Bennett for a nine-yard loss. That forced a UGA punt, and the Vols had a chance to go in for the kill with the ball up 7-0.
Of course, nothing came of that. However, Harrison wasn’t done. Later in the half, after Trevon Flowers just missed on an interception, Harrison had a crucial tackle on 2nd and 10 to bring up a 3rd and 13. Unfortunately for him, a pass interference call on the next play kept that UGA drive alive, and they scored a touchdown, but he did his part.
There was a chance Harrison would be higher on the list. On that same drive, he got beat on a couple of running plays by Bennett. If he didn’t, he would have had another key stop and moved up this list. However, he still did his part to get the Vols off the field that drive, and two tackles for a loss is enough for us to put him on here.