Tennessee football: Turning points in Vols’ 56-0 win vs. Tennessee Tech

Honestly, Tennessee football was never really threatened in its 56-0 win over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. However, the Vols didn’t score on their opening drive, and they were only up 7-0 late into the first quarter. As a result, there were moments where you thought TTU could make this a game, which would have been embarrassing.

As is always with this sport, there were a few key plays to make sure the flow of the game went the way it did and didn’t allow the Golden Eagles to make it interesting in the second half. Lots of players were involved in this game being successful, and there were many memorable plays.

However, if a few moments didn’t take place, this could have been concerning well into the second half. Let’s go ahead and dive into what dictated how this game played out. These are the turning points and key moments in Tennessee football’s win over TTU.

Sack sets up field position for Vols’ first TD to JaVonta Payton

After failing to score on their first drive, the Vols had to punt it. Tennessee Tech had it on their own 30. On 3rd and 10, though, Matthew Butler blew up the play in the middle. That allowed Aaron Beasley, who was in for the injured Juwan Mitchell at linebacker, to assist on a sack alongside Tyler Baron, resulting in a 10-yard loss.

Because of that sack, TTU’s punt set the Vols up in good field position. They needed two plays, as Hendon Hooker, who was struggling to connect on the deep ball, found JaVonta Payton on an epic touchdown pass and catch to put UT up 7-0.

Personal foul keeps Vols’ second TD drive alive

This is how ugly the game was going. Late in the first, the Vols were still only up 7-0 and had been stopped on a fourth down. Another sack and then their first interception of the year got them the ball back, but then a holding penalty brought up a 2nd and 19 from the TTU 46. A 3rd and 15 was about to come up after a two-yard pass to Jaylen Wright.

However, TTU defensive back Jayvian Allen lost his helmet on the play. That drew a personal foul and gave the Vols a first down. Hooker later ran for 22 yards on that drive to set up a Wright one-yard touchdown run. It was ugly, but the Vols went up 14-0 thanks to that penalty.

Hendon Hooker 45-yard TD pass to Velus Jones Jr. on 4th and 3

Josh Heupel’s team goes up 14-0 and then forces a three-and-out. Then they move the ball further, and a 4th and 3 just past midfield arises early into the second quarter. Heupel went for his third fourth down of the game.

His gamble paid off. Hendon Hooker found Velus Jones Jr., who took the ball 45 yards to the house for a score to put Tennessee football up 21-0. This broke the game open, and it was exactly what the Vols needed to be able to relax.

Hendon Hooker 10-yard pass to JaVonta Payton on 4th and 4

Even up 21-0, it was a sluggish first half. However, the Vols then got the ball near midfield late in the second quarter and began driving again. They got down to the TTU 30-yard line, and another fourth down came up.

On 4th and 4, Heupel went for it again. Hendon Hooker found JaVonta Payton for a 10-yard pass. That kept the drive alive, and UT took advantage with a one-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Warren. This put them up 28-0 at halftime.

Alontae Taylor interception opens up the second half

Although the Vols led 28-0, it was an ugly 28-0, and TTU got the ball to open the second half. They were driving thanks to a roughing the kicker penalty committed by the Vols and made it 2nd and 10 from the UT 29-yard line. That’s when Alontae Taylor stepped up and put the game out of reach. Taylor came up with an interception and seemingly ran it back for a touchdown.

Replay showed Taylor stepped out near midfield, but he still stopped a drive and set up Tennessee football’s offense in good field position. The Vols took advantage and scored on the ensuing drive. That broke it open to 35-0. Solon Page III made it pour with a pick-six on the next drive, but Taylor’s pick was the one that assured this would remain a blowout.