Tennessee football report card in 34-7 Kentucky loss

The Vols tackle a Kentucky player in the first quarter of a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.
The Vols tackle a Kentucky player in the first quarter of a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Eric Gray (3) during the second half of a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.
Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Eric Gray (3) during the second half of a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. /

Offensive grades

Quarterbacks: F

Is there any redeeming quality to Tennessee football’s three quarterbacks completing 15 of 26 passes? No. One pick-six nullifies that. A second makes it below average immediately. Two more turnovers makes it a complete failure. Jarrett Guarantano spotted Kentucky a 14-0 lead and had a turnover that cost the Vols a score. JT Shrout gave them three more points. This was an epic fail.

Running backs: A-

While the quarterback play was solid, the running backs once again came through. Ty Chandler had 12 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown, and Eric Gray had 24 carries for 128 yards. Jabari Small even added two carries for 12 yards. Chandler also had one catch for four yards, and Gray had three catches for 20 yards. So the backs combined for 207 yards from scrimmage.

Wide receivers: D

These guys did barely anything. Brandon Johnson led the way with 37 receiving yards and a key fourth down conversion. However, receivers struggled to get separation all game. Ramel Keyton also killed a drive with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. So this group was below average.

Tight ends: D-

Tight ends continue to be nonexistent in this system. Jacob Warren did have a seven-yard reception. However, Princeton Fant took part in a chop-block that set up the Shrout interception. Add in the poor pass protection all day, and this unit was bad.

Offensive line: C

Wanya Morris, Darnell Wright and K’Rojhn Calbert were all awful. Morris and Wright each killed a drive individually by allowing a sack, and Morris was also in on the chop-block that set up that Shrout pick. So the tackles get an F. However, the Vols ran the ball very well because Trey Smith, Brandon Kennedy and Cade Mays were great inside. They get an A. That gets this unit overall a C.

Overall grade: D-

The Vols moved the ball but only scored one touchdown. They spotted the Kentucky Wildcats 17 points in the process. So overall, this unit was horrible.