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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 30-17 loss at Auburn

By Caleb Calhoun

Auburn defensive tackle DaQuan Newkirk (44) takes Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) down with him as Auburn defensive lineman Colby Wooden (25) grabs at Guarantano's ankle at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020.Auburn Ut
Auburn defensive tackle DaQuan Newkirk (44) takes Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) down with him as Auburn defensive lineman Colby Wooden (25) grabs at Guarantano's ankle at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020.Auburn Ut /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 7: Harrison Bailey #15 hands off the ball to Eric Gray #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 7: Harrison Bailey #15 hands off the ball to Eric Gray #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

4. Running game remained one major positive.

Eric Gray, Trey Smith and everybody else involved in the running game should be heated with how this played out. They carried Tennessee football and had everything to do with the Vols being in this game and taking control early, but they had no help.

As the star of the day, Gray had 22 carries for 173 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team in receiving with three receptions for 49 yards. Ty Chandler, though, was a solid No. 2 back with nine carries for 40 yards and another four receptions for 37 yards.

That pick-six in the red zone was only the second play of the 63-yard drive in which Gray or Chandler didn’t touch the ball. The first was an incomplete pass by Jarrett Guarantano to Josh Palmer. It also didn’t come on an obvious passing down, as it was 2nd and 7 from the 12. Simply put, the players who make up the running game were let down by that epic failure.

On the next drive, Gray did a ton of work again to get the Vols deep into Auburn territory. He carried this team all night, and if the Vols could just get some solid passing game or a little bit of creativity, they could have one of the most dynamic offenses. After all, they did rush for over 200 yards in this one.

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