Tennessee football’s top five performers in 56-0 win vs. Tennessee Tech

2 tackles (2 solo); 1 INT; 2 pass breakups

After last week’s issues against Pitt in the passing game, Tennessee football’s safeties were due for a much better performance. Although it came against an FCS team, they definitely showed some improvement, and they were a huge reason for the win.

Jaylen McCollough was tasked not just with playing good coverage but also containing TTU’s dual-threat at quarterback in Willie Miller. He was perfect all day, maintaining an eye on the quarterbacks. Many of the sacks the Vols enjoyed weren’t just because of the push up front. They were coverage sacks because of what McCollough was doing.

Then came the truly big play. Late in the first quarter, the Vols were looking really sloppy and clinging to a 7-0 lead. They had just suffered a turnover on downs, and TTU had the ball near midfield. On 1st and 10, Dewayne Alexander took a shot on a wide receiver trick pass. However, McCollough, along with Alontae Taylor, stayed home in the backfield and didn’t fall for it.

That decision resulted in a sack. The sack, led to another huge play, though. It brought up 3rd and 22, and Miller was under duress, thanks again to great coverage. Facing heat, he forced a bad pass, and McCollough came down with the interception, the Vols’ first of the year. Rocky Top scored on the ensuing drive to go up 14-0 and finally take control.

Two great plays on a crucial drive to break the game open are enough to put McCollough on top of this list. He was Tennessee football’s top defensive playmaker and the reason they pitched a shutout. As a result, he’s the player of the game.