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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from 56-0 win vs. Tennessee Tech

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs with the ball during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs with the ball during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football /
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Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) celebrates a touchdown catch as Tennessee Tech defensive back Nyquan Washington (21) motions for an incomplete pass during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football
Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) celebrates a touchdown catch as Tennessee Tech defensive back Nyquan Washington (21) motions for an incomplete pass during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football /

2. Experienced receivers finally emerged.

Speaking of veterans finally being able to come down with big plays, Tennessee football’s two most experienced wide receivers wide receivers, stepped up in a big way in this game as well. Fans had been waiting for them to emerge.

Velus Jones Jr. gave a preview of what he would do on the opening kickoff. He ran it back for a touchdown, but it was called back due to a penalty. Still, Jones had the fourth down touchdown to put the Vols up 21-0, a 45-yard reception on 4th and 3 early in the second quarter. He put his speed on display at that moment and really helped the offense get into rhythm.

JaVonta Payton, meanwhile, got things started. The Mississippi State Bulldogs transfer hadn’t shown much yet before this game, and he missed a perfectly thrown deep ball on the opening drive. However, on the second drive, he had an amazing 29-yard touchdown catch, getting one foot down with a guy all over him.

While Cedric Tillman, Jimmy Calloway and Jalin Hyatt have generated lots of headlines, Jones and Payton are the two most proven receivers in the system. They need to come up big for the Vols going forward, and they were able to do that in this game.

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